1846-O Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter-1. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC. Rich olive-gold and pale apricot colors blend with considerable frosty mint luster on both sides of this attractively original half eagle. It is boldly to sharply struck and remarkably well preserved for a survivor of this conditionally challenged issue. The 1846-O is one of the leading rarities among New Orleans Mint Liberty Head half eagles, with survivors even more elusive than those of the lower mintage 1845-O (58,000 vs. 41,000 pieces produced). Southern gold expert Doug Winter suggests that it is equal in rarity to the more famous Charlotte and Dahlonega issues from the same year, if not rarer -- a familiar observation for many pre-Civil War era New Orleans Mint half eagles. Just about 150 examples are extant in all grades, the vast majority of which are at the VF and EF levels. This offering from the Fairmont Collections JBR Set is among our finest in recent years and is sure to garner significant attention at auction. PCGS# 8230. NGC ID: 25TK. PCGS Population: 13; 18 finer, just even of which are Mint State (MS-62 finest).<p>CAC Population: 12 in all AU grades. From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.
