1859-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS AU53

Here’s an attractive specimen of a better date in the Liberty Head double eagle series. Struck in San Francisco a few years before the onset of the Civil War, this issue saw extensive circulation in the Old West. PCGS has graded 99 as AU53 with 200 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $4,500.00 in AU53.

James B. Longacre, the artist-engraver who gave us the popular Liberty Head double eagle design. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The obverse of the $20 Double Eagle features a left-facing Liberty design influenced by Greco-Roman sculpture. 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 date is found below the image of Liberty.

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.