Louisiana Purchase
$10 1888-O

Owner Comments:

The 1888-O New Orleans eagle is 10 of 16 in rarity of the with motto eagles (similar to the 1894 and 1895 dates). PCGS 17/1 NGC 8/0.

After a four year hiatis, coinage of eagles at the New Orleans mint resumed in 1888. Beginning with this issue, the level of rarity and the grade distribution of these issues is much more significant that the those of the preceding decade. Clearly, these issues did not see wide circulation and it is possible that those which were not ultimately melted were shipped overseas.

I like this date, as "888" is very lucky in Asia. On this issue, the third "8" is tilted, when subject to close inspection. The coin has very nice, original luster with attractive orange-gold and light greenish color, in slightly different configurations, on the obverse and reverse. The obverse shows some scuffmarks in the left field (probably while on the trip to Europe) while the reverse is very choice and only lightly marked. This is one of the nicest MS63 coins seen, and is thus likely a Condition Census example of the date.