1857-O Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter-1, the only known dies. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.
Pretty deep honey-orange and olive surfaces are richly original in preservation. Nearly full mint luster remains, and the texture soft, is frosty and undisturbed by troublesome marks. Crisp striking detail enhances the desirability of this thoroughly PQ 1857-O half eagle. This issue is the last in the trio of rare New Orleans Mint fives that commenced with the 1855-O. Although not quite as rare as either the 1855-O or 1856-O, the 1857-O is more challenging to locate in high grades (AU and Mint State). Astute Liberty Head or Southern gold enthusiasts would be hard pressed to find a nicer Choice About Uncirculated survivor than the Fairmont-JBR specimen offered here.
PCGS# 8274. NGC ID: 25V5.
PCGS Population: 7; 5 finer, just three of which are Mint State (MS-63 finest). CAC Population: 2; 1.
From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.