1857-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS64 (CAC)

     We at AUCM are offering a special coin 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, is rich with history.

      Numismatic writer Doug Winter tells us, "As a result of the discovery of thousands of choice to gem examples from the S.S. Central America treasure, the 1857-S has become the single most available Type One double eagle. 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."

      The obverse of the $20 Double Eagle features a left-facing Liberty. A pearl-encrusted coronet inscribed with “Liberty” adorns her wavy hair, which flows down her neck. Thirteen stars that represent the original colonies/states surround her bust. The reverse presents Longacre's exaggerated design, featuring a heraldic eagle, one that is quite different from eagles previously found upon our coinage. Dramatic rays emanate from the national bird, and a circle of 13 stars is found hovering over the eagle. Two contrived ribbons encircle the awkward creature, one of which the eagle holds firmly in its beak. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is split between the two ribbons. A federal shield is found on its breast and arrows and the ivy branch of peace are found, respectively, in its right and left talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY D. surround the bird at the coin's rim.