Owner Comments:
The 1856-0 double eagle is the rarest issue in the entire New Orleans complete set (if you do not count the Half Eagle 1840-0 Broad Mill), and also a great rarity unto itself. Now, some would say that the 1854-O eagle is more rare, particularly in AU and above, but it is difficult to tell. In any event, as a Great Rarity, there are likely less than 25 known.
At AU55, PCGS 4/2, NGC 1/2. There are a total of 11 in PCGS and 7 at NGC, or 18 in the census of the two grading services. This fact alone makes it a great rarity. Note, as to the 1854-O, there are 24 listed in AU and above versus only 12 for 1856-O. With resubmissions, it is hard to tell.)
The Louisiana Purchase example is the third or fourth finest known. The following is likely the census listing of the finest known coins (from Doug Winter blog http://www.raregoldcoins.com/get_article.asp?id=20071205a constructed with supporting research from this author.)
1. Private collection, ex: Heritage 6/04: 6372 ($542,800). Graded SP63 by NGC.
2. Midwestern private collection. Graded AU58 by PCGS. Probably ex: Eliasberg: 889. PCGS shows a second coin having been graded AU58. I am reasonably certain that it is not coin #2 but am not aware of its pedigree. NGC also shows two coins graded AU58. One is listed below; the other is not listed as I am not yet certain which example it is.
3. New England collection, ex: Doug Winter 12/07. Graded AU55 by PCGS.
4. Arlington collection, ex: Heritage 7/05: 10399 ($431,250), Bowers and Merena 10/99: 1711 ($105,800; as PCGS AU53), Harry Bass collection. Graded AU55 by PCGS. There are two other coins listed as AU55 by PCGS. I am not certain that these exist but it is possible that coin #6 below may have crossed from an NGC holder to a PCGS holder.
5. Private collection, ex: Bowers and Merena 3/07: 5597 ($356,500; as PCGS AU53). Graded AU58 by NGC.
6. Heritage 7/02: 9472 ($132,250), ex: “Midwestern collection.” Graded AU55 by NGC. One of the coins listed above may be the example from the Amon Carter collection listed in the first edition of my New Orleans book.
The Louisiana Purchase (aka New England Collection) coin soft orange-gold color with a decent amount of luster left. Some wear, but nothing unusually or ugly.