1855-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle 14C PCGS AU53 (CAC) Ex.SS Central America

Here is a historic--and quite attractive--artifact of both the First San Francisco Mint and the tragic sinking of the SS Central America (SSCA) in 1857. This is the 14C (S Tilted Right) variety, of which PCGS graded only 62 examples. Of those, there are 19 in AU53 with 39 finer. In CAC, there are 4 in AU53 with 5 finer.

A rare glimpse at the workings of the First San Francisco Mint, where this fine specimen was struck in 1855. Illustration titled “Running the Gold into Ingots” from: Library of Congress.

The 1855-S is among the better produced Type One double eagles from the San Francisco mint. There is good hair detail on the obverse with clear separation on many of the curls. The stars typically display full radial lines and the denticles are clearly separated. The wingtips on the reverse are at times weak, but the rest of the details are sharp.

The edges offer a clearly beveled appearance. The luster on this issue is frosty, however it seems a bit subdued when compared to Philadelphia Mint issues of the 1850s. The coloration on this issue is usually a medium to deep orange-gold. It is quite easy to find an 1855-S with good eye appeal. Many of this issue are well struck and offer above average luster.