1880-O Liberty Head Eagle. Winter 1-A. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
This is a highly desirable Choice AU 1880-O eagle, an issue that is scarce even in well worn condition. Both sides exhibit original honey-orange color with deep olive undertones. The surfaces are lustrous with a soft frosty texture and faint reflectivity in the fields. Sharply struck with an exceptionally smooth appearance for the assigned grade. Despite once again coming under federal control through Union occupation in 1862, the New Orleans Mint did not return to coin production until 1879. In that year, the facility delivered a sizable number of Morgan silver dollars, along with smaller quantities of eagles and double eagles. Eagle production continued sporadically through 1906, the years 1879 to 1883 each having low mintages that have contributed to the scarcity (if not rarity) of all of these issues. In the case of the 1880-O, only 9,200 coins were struck. We believe that only a few hundred 1880-O eagles have survived, mostly in VF and EF grades, with the occasional low end AU coming to market. Overlooked by contemporary numismatists, the coins saw considerable commercial use and few Choice AU and Mint State survivors are known.
PCGS# 8689. NGC ID: 265U.
From the Fairmont Collection - CAG Set.

Estimate: $3750