Heritage World Coin Auctions
CSNS Signature US Coin Sale 1254 26-28 Apr 2017
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Liberty Double Eagles
1854-S $20 AU53 NGC. CAC. Small Date, Large S, Broken A in STATES. The San Francisco Mint began operations in April, 1854 with the expected problems for a start-up coinage facility. Bullion was not in short supply, but the parting acids needed to convert the raw ore into coinable alloy were in short supply. Still, a mintage of 141,468 pieces was managed by the new branch mint -- a reasonable achievement, but far fewer double eagles than were needed for the booming West Coast commerce.
This example displays exceptionally original, deep apricot-gold toning with traces of underlying mint luster. Abrasions are limited to smallish chatter and inoffensive, tiny marks. The motifs retain much of their initial strong strike, with only honest wear on the lower curls and the wingtips to represent seven points of wear. The natural, old-time toning provides convincing evidence this is not a seawater survivor, but a piece that was removed after moderate circulation into attentive protective care. Per extensive research by Doug Winter, high-grade 1854-S double eagles that are not from the S.S. Yankee Blade salvage are very rare and in high demand among specialists. Census: 32 in 53, 103 finer. CAC: 2 in 53, 10 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017
1854-S $20 AU53 NGC. CAC. Small Date, Large S, Broken A in STATES. The San Francisco Mint began operations in April, 1854 with the expected problems for a start-up coinage facility. Bullion was not in short supply, but the parting acids needed to convert the raw ore into coinable alloy were in short supply. Still, a mintage of 141,468 pieces was managed by the new branch mint -- a reasonable achievement, but far fewer double eagles than were needed for the booming West Coast commerce.
This example displays exceptionally original, deep apricot-gold toning with traces of underlying mint luster. Abrasions are limited to smallish chatter and inoffensive, tiny marks. The motifs retain much of their initial strong strike, with only honest wear on the lower curls and the wingtips to represent seven points of wear. The natural, old-time toning provides convincing evidence this is not a seawater survivor, but a piece that was removed after moderate circulation into attentive protective care. Per extensive research by Doug Winter, high-grade 1854-S double eagles that are not from the S.S. Yankee Blade salvage are very rare and in high demand among specialists. Census: 32 in 53, 103 finer. CAC: 2 in 53, 10 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017