2 super-rare New Orleans Mint coins snag total of $622,750

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Two 19th-century rare coins one gold, one silver from the New Orleans Mint together brought in more than a half-million dollars at a recent sale in California.

An 1856-O Liberty Double Eagle, certified at AU55 PCGS Secure and noted as a Variety 1, realized $364,250. A member of the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins compendium, the 1856-O is known as arguably the rarest coin minted at the New Orleans facility. Of just 2,250 produced, just a maximum are 30 are thought to survive.

The other top seller was another product of the New Orleans Mint: an 1895-O Morgan Dollar, certified at MS65+ by NGC and sporting a green CAC sticker, that was part of the Rev. Dr. James G.K. McClure Collection. It realized $258,500.

McClure apparently acquired the coin from a bank close to its issue date, and it had not seen the light of day since, according to a CoinWeek report.

The mint produced only about 450,000 of these, and this ones considered the third-rarest in Mint State, as well as tied for the finest specimen in CACs judgment. Its also special in the entire Morgan series because the Philadelphia Mint produced none that year except for about 880 proofs; only San Francisco also minted circulation-issue Morgans in 1895, making just 400,000.

Several other coins broke into the $100,000-plus range, including a 1921-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar, certified at MS66 by NGC, which commanded $188,000; an 1804 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle, certified at AU55 PCGS, which brought in $146,875; an 1822 Capped Bust Quarter Dollar, MS65 PCGS, which sold for $108,687.50; and a 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar, graded as VG10 by NGC, which came in at $105,750.

The market for top-quality coins, such as those listed above, continues to be strong in 2016.Lesser coins, however, are seeing some valleys. As the market continues to decline for some series, it looks like dealers and collectors are heavily pursuing CAC and + graded coins, Numismedia recently noted.

If youre looking for coins with similar high-quality characteristics, search Blanchard and Companys rare coin inventory for the best numismatic selection available anywhere.