In a remarkable event for numismatists, the unique 1844-O $5 and $10 Proof Gold Coins, minted in New Orleans, will be reunited for the first time in over a century at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma City, August 19-23, 2025. These extraordinary rarities, last owned by the same collector at the 1890 Parmelee auction, will be displayed at GreatCollections’ tables 901/1000 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
GreatCollections, the Irvine-based rare coin auction house, facilitated the sale of both coins to a single collector, now part of the prestigious Elite Collection, one of the finest assemblies of U.S. numismatic rarities. While the sale prices remain undisclosed, the coins will be insured for $15 million during the event. Their historical significance is amplified by their believed purpose: minted to honor a visiting dignitary, a rare occurrence for proof coins struck at branch mints like New Orleans, marked with the distinctive “O” on the reverse.
These coins boast a storied provenance. Once part of the famed Parmelee Collection, they were acquired by William H. Woodin in 1890. The $10 Gold Eagle later joined Virgil Brand’s collection in 1911, while the $5 Half Eagle passed through Waldo Newcomer and King Farouk’s renowned collections. The 1844-O Liberty Gold Eagle, graded PCGS Proof-65 DCAM, resurfaced in the 1990s, while the Half Eagle, graded PCGS Proof-67 DCAM with CAC approval, remained elusive until its quiet appearance around 2021. Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, noted the Half Eagle’s reemergence went unnoticed in numismatic circles, allowing their team to pursue its acquisition discreetly to reunite the pair.
David Akers, a respected numismatist, described the Half Eagle as “virtually perfect,” comparing its quality to the finest proof Liberty Head half eagles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Both coins rank #45 in Jeff Garrett’s 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, underscoring their significance. Notably, these rarities are absent from the Smithsonian’s otherwise comprehensive collection of the era.
Southern Gold Society members attending the ANA World’s Fair of Money are encouraged to visit GreatCollections’ tables to view these extraordinary coins. For more details, contact GreatCollections at 1-800-442-6467 or email info@greatcollections.com.