1854-S $20 MS(PCGS#8913)

The March 2010 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Bowers & Merena

Lot Number

3920

Grade

MS63

Price

23,000

Lot Description

1854-S Liberty Double Eagle. MS-63 (NGC). A historically significant issue that enjoys tremendous popularity among gold specialists, the 1854-S is the first Double Eagle struck in the San Francisco Mint. Examples are scarce in an absolute sense, and this issue is actually the rarest S-mint Twenty of the Type I design after only the 1861-S Paquet Reverse and 1866-S No Motto. Only a small number of 1854-S Double Eagles were discovered with the shipwrecks of the <em>S.S. Yankee Blade</em>, <em>S.S. Central America </em>and <em>S.S. Republic</em>, several of which are circulated.<br />     This is a Condition Census beauty with a satiny, slightly granular texture to both sides. Dominant color is a pretty rose-gold shade, although we also note intermingled orange-gold highlights that are boldest toward the rims. Boldly struck in most areas, with no abrasions of note.