Heritage World Coin Auctions
CSNS Signature US Coin Sale 1254 26-28 Apr 2017
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Liberty Double Eagles
1853-O $20 AU55 PCGS Secure. Following three years of significant double eagle production in New Orleans from 1850 to 1852, the mintage dropped substantially in 1853, and even further in the next three years. The Louisiana facility averaged 215,000 double eagles from 1850 to 1852, and then struck just 71,000 the next year, and averaged a mere 4,500 per year from 1854 thorough 1856. So what changed? The double eagle denomination was a direct result of the massive California gold discoveries, and much of that gold was shipped to New Orleans, with additional shipments to Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Dahlonega. The U.S. Assay Office and various private coiners operated in California from 1849 through 1855, with a substantially increased production in 1853. The New San Francisco Mint opened the following year, eliminating the costly shipments to far off facilities.
The original gold deposit books at the New Orleans Mint for the 1850s exist at the Fort Worth, Texas branch of the National Archives. These books show conclusively that 90% of gold deposited at the New Orleans Mint was California gold. The present Choice AU example is an amazing double eagle with rich yellow luster and nearly full mint brilliance. This piece is sharply defined and highly attractive. Population: 30 in 55, 15 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017
1853-O $20 AU55 PCGS Secure. Following three years of significant double eagle production in New Orleans from 1850 to 1852, the mintage dropped substantially in 1853, and even further in the next three years. The Louisiana facility averaged 215,000 double eagles from 1850 to 1852, and then struck just 71,000 the next year, and averaged a mere 4,500 per year from 1854 thorough 1856. So what changed? The double eagle denomination was a direct result of the massive California gold discoveries, and much of that gold was shipped to New Orleans, with additional shipments to Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Dahlonega. The U.S. Assay Office and various private coiners operated in California from 1849 through 1855, with a substantially increased production in 1853. The New San Francisco Mint opened the following year, eliminating the costly shipments to far off facilities.
The original gold deposit books at the New Orleans Mint for the 1850s exist at the Fort Worth, Texas branch of the National Archives. These books show conclusively that 90% of gold deposited at the New Orleans Mint was California gold. The present Choice AU example is an amazing double eagle with rich yellow luster and nearly full mint brilliance. This piece is sharply defined and highly attractive. Population: 30 in 55, 15 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017