1856-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle, 17L PCGS AU55 (CAC) Ex. SS Central America

Out of its mintage of 1,189,750, in its 17L variety (No Serif, Tilted S) there were only 77 graded by PCGS. Just 27 carry the grade of AU55, with 38 finer. The 1856-S $20 gold piece is well struck and most coins have excellent luster and nice color. Writes Doug Winter, "The natural coloration on 1856-S double eagles is a rich rose-gold with olive hues." Take a look at the images of this example, and imagine calling it your very own!

This haunting image of a young woman was found among the wreckage of the SS Central America. Was she on board? Did she survive? Or did a loved one who perished carry her image with him? We will never know.

On the popularity of collecting Type 1 Liberty head double eagles (1850-1866), Doug Winter writes, "If I had to pick a single event as the impetus for the surge in interest for these coins, I would go with the discovery of the SS Central America shipwreck. I vividly remember the massive amount of interest these coins generated among collectors and non-collectors alike." There were 1,085 of this issue found in the ruins of the SS Central America.