1858-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS XF45

The 1858-S has become a forgotten, neglected issue. That's because the other San Francisco Double Eagles of this era have seen their numbers grow exponentially due to discovery in hoards upon shipwrecks. Assuming that it is common, collectors don't realize that it is very rare in higher grades. In fact, the two finest known examples are only MS63, one each in PCGS and NGC holders. PCGS has graded 205 in XF45, with 349 finer. Plus this piece is housed in the ever-popular PCGS 'Old Green Holder' with the green label. In its assigned grade of XF45, this is a quite affordable piece that would be a great type coin to include in a collection.

The first San Francisco Mint, where this great collectible was minted in 1858.

Gold specialist Doug Winter gives us the lowdown on this issue: "The 1858-S shows an above-average quality strike in comparison to other San Francisco double eagles of this era....The luster is frosty in texture with a pronounced granularity. Some are more satiny in appearance and these are regarded as being more desirable by specialists in the series....The natural coloration is an attractive rich rose-gold or orange-gold hue. There are still a decent number of 1858-S double eagles with natural color that the patient collector should be able to acquire one without a great effort." The piece offered by AUCM has that great "natural color" that Doug Winter writes about!