1857-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle, 20D PCGS MS63 (CAC) Ex.SS Central America

1857-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle 20D PCGS MS63 (CAC) Ex.SS Central America

      We at AUCM are pleased to offer a specimen for the sophisticated collector who has a strong sense of history. The year 1857 saw the sinking of the S.S. Central America, with thousands of 1857-S Liberty Head double eagles on board. However, much more significant was the loss of life the night of September 11-12, 1857; 425 of her 578 passengers and crew perished at sea in a category 2 hurricane with 105 MPH winds. Plus the sinking of 30,000 pounds (14,000 kg) of gold was a major contributing factor to the economic Panic of 1857. Considering those events, this offering from AUCM, an 1857-S Liberty double eagle from that historic shipwreck, is rich with history.

      Numismatic writer Doug Winter tells us, "The discovery [of the S.S. Central America treasure] literally kick-started the wider market for this series and today the 1857-S is desirable to collectors, investors, and history lovers alike. ... This is a well-struck issue. The hair detail on the obverse is sharp with many of the curls and the strands at the top of Liberty's head showing individual definition. The stars usually have full radial lines and the denticles are sharp and clear. On the reverse, ... the overall [details are] excellent with detail[s] not seen on most Type One issues from the San Francisco mint."