Lot 1746
The Rare 1866-S $20 Gold No Motto PCGS Graded AU 50. PCGS graded AU-50. The final year of production of the No Motto twenties, these were coined from two leftover reverse dies. Only 12,000 were struck while the San Francisco Mint focused on other coinages until the new with motto dies arrived in May of 1866. The motto "In God We Trust" was added to all silver and gold coinage beginning in 1866 after the Rev. M. R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania had Congress pass the authorization with the support of Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase. On the double eagle, only slight modifications needed to be made, the oval of the stars over the eagle's head was slightly enlarged in order to insert the motto within, other changes were made to the shield and scroll. Apparently unknown in full mint state, PCGS has only graded 7 coins this high, with 3 graded higher. Most are in grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine at best. The recent Bass Sale boasted only an EF 40. Struck from a clashed obverse die, with shield lines above Liberty's ear, and rays in the field from the curls on her back toward the last star. An important rarity in this grade, and certain to bring a strong price from advanced collectors.
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| Realized $11,500 |
