Owner Comments:
This eagle is the second finest known 1854-O Small Date. (PCGS 1/0 NGC 0/1)
While there are 2 NGC MS coins: 60 and 61 listed that have no designation, they are very likely Large Date, which are much more common (although they, too, aren't too common). There is no other MS60 or better so designated. Thus, this coin is a highlight of the Louisiana Purchase Eagle Collection.
This coin is very nice for the grade, with significant remaining luster and originality, and an attractive orange-gold color. The coin has no significant marks. The stars 1,2,3 and 13 have a poor strike, with no delineation.
The date is really not that small, and so should be called, more accurately, a Medium Date. That is because the other variety, the "Large Date", is really large (using a silver dollar date logotype), more accurately called a "Huge Date."
This date variety is the 11th of 21 in overall rarity of No Motto New Orleans Gold Eagles.