1850 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle CACG AU55 Legacy

Here’s a great coin to add to your numismatic holdings, one that was authenticated and certified by the newest grading service, CAC Grading.

This piece is an attractive circulated example of the first year of circulation strikes (1849 saw two patterns created) of the popular, long-running Liberty Head double eagle series (1850-1907). The 1850 coin has always been appreciated by collectors, both as a first-year issue and due to its California Gold Rush history. Thus, despite its large mintage (1,170,261), demand for the 1850 has always been strong, pushing prices upward.  CAC Grading has graded one as AU55. This was the first 1850 $20 Liberty graded by them.

You may be curious as to what “Legacy” means for this coin. If the CAC Grading slab has an ‘L’ to the right of the certification number, such as this offering from AUCM, then it is a “Legacy” coin. According to CAC Grading, in a press release dated June 10, 2023, “The new policy guarantees that a coin stickered November 2007-June 5, 2023 will get the legacy designation so long as the numerical grade does not change.”

Gold miners in California in 1850, the year this coin was produced with Gold Rush gold. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.