Lot 1639
1850 $20 Liberty PCGS MS64. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. CAC Approved. Semi reflective surfaces on both sides of this majestic near gem! The obverse, particularly the fields are outstanding in quality and appeal. Type 1 double eagles are seldom found above a low grade of mint state, even for these so called common dates. Look at the Population Report of PCGS and the Census of NGC. Rarely are coins found in choice grades of MS-63 or finer for most dates, the only real exceptions are the various issues found on shipwrecks. The obverse is simply stunning, and would easily grade gem were it not for a minor scrape running roughly horizontal behind Liberty's ear in her curls. On the reverse the originality can't be denied, with a solitary ancient copper speck at the N of UNITED and faint traces of copper toning elsewhere. Overall this is a great looking coin for the first major year of production.
Recall that the double eagle or $20 dollar gold coin was first authorized in 1849, coinciding with the floodgates of gold opening from the mines, valleys, streams and fields of California. As the gold floated its way across the oceans to the east, an opportunity to create a new and larger gold eagle was presented, and sure enough the double eagle was born. This date has been particularly popular because this is the first year these were produced for circulation, as the two pattern coins of 1849 were never available even to collectors. Pop 2; none finer at PCGS (PCGS # 8902) Estimated Value $50,000-UP
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized $170,375 |
