1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle : A Collector’s Guide.
Design Features: The 1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle features a classic design by James B. Longacre. The obverse depicts a portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet, with "LIBERTY" inscribed on the headband.
The reverse features an eagle with a shield, perched on a bundle of arrows and olive branches, with the denomination "TWENTY D." prominently displayed.
Mintmark Significance: The "O" mintmark on this coin indicates that it was minted at the New Orleans Mint.
Mintage Numbers: The 1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle had a mintage of only about 1.1 million coins, making it a relatively low-mintage coin, which adds to its rarity and collector appeal.
Grading and Condition: The condition of the coin is critical to its value. Coins in higher grades (such as MS60 to MS65) are more valuable than those in lower grades (such as VF or AG).
Investment Potential: In addition to its numismatic value, the 1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle can also be considered an investment in gold, as its value is tied to the price of gold.
Collecting Focus: The 1856-O is part of the Liberty Head Double Eagle series, which began in 1849 and continued through the 1907 introduction of the Saint-Gaudens design.
Collectors often seek the 1856-O as part of a complete collection of Liberty Head gold coins or U.S. gold coinage.