The New Orleans With Motto Eagle “Short Set” is an interesting and completable set perfect for both novice and experienced U.S. Gold collectors. This set consists of the $10 gold coins, known as eagles, produced at the New Orleans mint from 1888 to 1906.
In total there are eleven coins included in this set, all of which are legitimately scarce coins but none of them are “too rare.” Some U.S. Gold coin sets contain coins that are extremely rare and are nearly impossible to locate and acquire, especially on a modest budget. Because the New Orleans Eagle “Short Set” does not contain any of these “impossible” dates, it’s a set that appeals to a large audience of collectors.
A complete set can be assembled in lower uncirculated grades (MS60 to MS62) for just a very small premium over the incredibly common date coins struck at Philadelphia and San Francisco. Some issues like the 1901-O, 1903-O, and 1904-O, can even be acquired in MS63 grades and are still reasonably affordable in this relative high grade. All eagles from the New Orleans Mint are rare in MS64 grade and almost never seen in Gem grades (MS65 or better). Keep in mind that some issues in this series are virtually unknown above MS63.
I believe the eleven coins included in the New Orleans Eagle “Short Set” are an incredible value as they are many, many times rarer than the most common date coin, yet can be acquired for just a small premium. Not to mention they have the added value of coming from the highly collectible and historically significant New Orleans mint. I believe collectors would be hard pressed to find U.S. Gold coins that offer a better value.