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1856-O FIVE DOLLARS
OR HALF EAGLE

PCGS No: 8269

Mintage:

Circulation strikes: 10,000
Proofs: 0

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±21.65 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%

Weight: 129 grains (8.24 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "O" (for New Orleans, LA) below the eagle on the reverse

Significant examples:
NGC MS-61.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The California Sale", October 2-3, 2000, Lot 910 @$10,350.00, where it was plated and described (in part) as follows: "A mere 10,000 were struck for circulation and nearly every one was spent. A decidedly scarce coin and almost unheard of in Mint State. NGC has graded this sole example with none higher. PCGS reports only two examples with one a point higher. Regardless of the population reports, this is a condition census coin and ranks among the finest known. For a New Orleans mint coin, this specimen is unusually well struck and exhibits some reflective surface within the protected areas around the devices."

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-60.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles' "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001, Lot 1393, illustrated, sold for $7,762.00

GC AU-55.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 7599, illustrated, sold for $3,680.00  From the Violet Bancroft Collection

AU-50.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 459, not illustrated, sold for $1,265.00  From Lester Merkin's sale of April 1969, Lot 274

PCGS AU-50.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s, "Summer 2001 Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 8974, plated, unsold

Notes:
The finest example graded by PCGS is a single MS-61.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service

 

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