Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Liberty Double Eagles
1863-S $20 MS62 NGC. Small S, Breen-7217. The Bowers double eagle reference says "the Small S mintmark exists and is much rarer" while noted gold specialist Doug Winter opines: "There are two mintmark varieties for this date: the Small S and the Medium S. The latter appears to be more scarce." A check of 100 auction appearances in our archives reveals that the Small mintmark outnumbers the Medium S by a factor of 3 to 2.
That said, this 1863-S with the Small S displays high-luster, pale yellow-gold surfaces with frosty and bright surfaces. The radiant eye appeal is exceptional. A few scattered marks exist, but fewer than expected for the grade. The strike is sharp except for topmost hair strands, bun, and lower curls, which are not fully brought up. The S.S. Brother Jonathan and S.S. Republic yielded more than 300 examples of the 1863-S, but relatively few pieces in this Mint State grade or finer. Census: 19 in 62, 7 finer (10/16).
From The Renz Family Collection of $20 Gold Coins.
1863-S $20 MS62 NGC. Small S, Breen-7217. The Bowers double eagle reference says "the Small S mintmark exists and is much rarer" while noted gold specialist Doug Winter opines: "There are two mintmark varieties for this date: the Small S and the Medium S. The latter appears to be more scarce." A check of 100 auction appearances in our archives reveals that the Small mintmark outnumbers the Medium S by a factor of 3 to 2.
That said, this 1863-S with the Small S displays high-luster, pale yellow-gold surfaces with frosty and bright surfaces. The radiant eye appeal is exceptional. A few scattered marks exist, but fewer than expected for the grade. The strike is sharp except for topmost hair strands, bun, and lower curls, which are not fully brought up. The S.S. Brother Jonathan and S.S. Republic yielded more than 300 examples of the 1863-S, but relatively few pieces in this Mint State grade or finer. Census: 19 in 62, 7 finer (10/16).
From The Renz Family Collection of $20 Gold Coins.