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

Here’s a superb example of the 1856-S $20 Liberty for you to add to your collection. Graded by PCGS and housed in their exclusive "Gold Foil Label" holder, this example is variety 17E (Full Serif, Faint Left S).

Gold specialist Doug Winter writes on the popularity of collecting Type 1 Liberty head double eagles (1850-1866): "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."

Of the 17E variety coins retrieved from the SS Central America (SSCA), there have been 17 graded AU55, with 13 finer. In CAC, there are 3 of the 17E in AU55, with 12 finer.

Photo of a young woman retrieved from the wreck of the SSCA. She has been dubbed the ‘Mona Lisa of the Depths.’ Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Winter discusses the luster and color of the 1856-S Double Eagle: "This was a well-produced issue and higher grade pieces have excellent luster. This is usually frosty in texture although some semi-prooflike pieces are known …. The natural coloration on 1856-S double eagles is a rich rose-gold with olive hues…." Winter also considers eye appeal: "Even before the SSCA [SS Central America] shipwreck coins were uncovered, the level of eye appeal for this date was above average.... With little effort, the collector should find a handsome example for his set."