Unique 1844-O $5 and $10 Proof Gold Coins Reunited After 100 Years Apart

For the first time in a century, the unique pair of 1844 $5 and $10 Proof Gold coins minted in New Orleans have been reunited and will be on display at the ANA World’s Fair of Money to be held in Oklahoma, August 19-23 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

GreatCollections, the rare coin company and auction house based in Irvine, California has announced that they have sold the two coins in separate transactions to the same collector who has assembled one of the greatest collections of U.S. numismatic rarities ever formed, known as the Elite Collection. No price has been disclosed, although the two coins will be insured for $15 million while on display in Oklahoma.

The coins have a great history – once being part of the famous Parmelee Collection, which was auctioned in 1890. They were both purchased by well-known collector William H. Woodin. That was the last time both coins were owned by the same person. Virgil Brand acquired the Gold Eagle in the 1911 auction of Woodin’s collection, while the Gold Half Eagle appeared in the Waldo Newcomer inventory listing, and then became part of King Farouk of Egypt’s extensive collection.

Proof Gold Coins were traditionally only minted in Philadelphia, without any mint mark. However, coins struck at branch mints, such as Carson City, Charlotte and New Orleans, a mint mark was added. In the case of New Orleans, an “O” is featured on the reverse of each coin and it is widely believed they were minted to commemorate a visiting dignitary.

While the 1844-O Liberty Gold Eagle, graded PCGS Proof-65 DCAM, appeared on the market in the 1990s after being hidden for four decades, the Half Eagle was more elusive. It wasn’t until a few years ago, the 1844-O Liberty Half Eagle appeared in PCGS’s and CAC’s population report graded PCGS Proof-67 DCAM with CAC approval, although not a word was discussed in the numismatic press or on forums, despite it being one of greatest rarities in numismatics.

“I think it was 2021 when I first saw the image of the 1844-O $5 – and every week or so I was searching different online forums to see if anyone mentioned the rarity finally surfacing. It was crickets – no one posted anything about it – and clearly I didn’t want to tip our hand about our interest in acquiring the coin with a goal to reunite the $5 and $10 again. These are two proof gold coins missing from the Smithsonian collection, which basically has everything of this time period” said Ian Russell, president/co-founder of GreatCollections.

From GreatCollections research, the 1844-O Half Eagle last traded in the 1950s and resided in one of the most important private collections of U.S. coinage ever formed. Unlike Eliasberg, Pittman, Brand and Parmelee where impressive auctions have documented their collections, this was part of one that never wanted publicity.

Respected numismatist, David Akers, wrote about the Gold Half Eagle: “The quality of the coin was absolutely amazing, equal to any of the finest known proof Liberty Head half eagles of the late 1890's and early 1900's. In my notes on the collection, I wrote simply "1844-O $5, Gem Proof 67. Virtually perfect. Wow!"

Both coins have been featured in each edition of the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins by Jeff Garrett, including the latest edition where they are ranked #45.

The unique 1844-O Proof Gold Half Eagle and Eagle will be on display at GreatCollections tables 901/1000 at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma, August 19-23. For more information, contact GreatCollections at 1-800-442-6467 or email info@greatcollections.com.