Heritage World Coin Auctions
Dallas Signature US Coin Sale 1261 2-3 Nov 2017
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Liberty Double Eagles
1853-O $20 AU58 NGC. Variety 1. Following the coinage of 717,000 double eagles from 1850 through 1853, including 71,000 of this 1853 issue, the New Orleans Mint coinage of twenty dollar gold coins quickly dwindled, with a total of only 112,191 double eagles minted there for the next eight years from 1854 through 1861, an average of only 14,000 coins each year. The reason for this change, of course, was the opening of the San Francisco Mint that meant California gold miners no longer had to ship or carry their gold to Louisiana, a distance of more than 4,600 nautical miles by sea (with a dangerous crossing at Panama), or nearly 2,300 equally dangerous miles by land. Either way, it was a trip of weeks rather than days. The best scenario is 16 days by horse and carriage, but three to four weeks is likely for that trip.
Only one die variety is documented for the 1853-O double eagles. The mintmark is slightly left of center below the eagle's tail, and tilts slightly to the right. There are no die cracks, clash marks, or other anomalies. This piece has brilliant yellow surfaces with sharp details and reflective fields, and appears to be fully Mint State until examined closely.
HID02901242017
1853-O $20 AU58 NGC. Variety 1. Following the coinage of 717,000 double eagles from 1850 through 1853, including 71,000 of this 1853 issue, the New Orleans Mint coinage of twenty dollar gold coins quickly dwindled, with a total of only 112,191 double eagles minted there for the next eight years from 1854 through 1861, an average of only 14,000 coins each year. The reason for this change, of course, was the opening of the San Francisco Mint that meant California gold miners no longer had to ship or carry their gold to Louisiana, a distance of more than 4,600 nautical miles by sea (with a dangerous crossing at Panama), or nearly 2,300 equally dangerous miles by land. Either way, it was a trip of weeks rather than days. The best scenario is 16 days by horse and carriage, but three to four weeks is likely for that trip.
Only one die variety is documented for the 1853-O double eagles. The mintmark is slightly left of center below the eagle's tail, and tilts slightly to the right. There are no die cracks, clash marks, or other anomalies. This piece has brilliant yellow surfaces with sharp details and reflective fields, and appears to be fully Mint State until examined closely.
HID02901242017