1866-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle, with Motto PCGS AU58

1866-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle, with Motto PCGS AU58--$7,250.00Top of Form

      It is with great pleasure that we present this coin for your consideration. This could be a great type coin for your set of U.S. gold pieces, or could fill a space if you are assembling a complete set of Liberty head double eagles. Gold specialist David Akers writes, "the 1866-S Motto...ranks as one of the rarest S-Mint issues....With respect to condition rarity, the 1866-S Motto is in the top 10% of the entire Double Eagles series. Compared to all 204 $20 issues and not just those from the San Francisco Mint, the 1866-S Motto...fares well in terms of overall rarity ranking in the top fifth of the series. Almost all known examples of this date are in the VF and EF grades and a full AU is definitely rare." Yes, this "full AU"--PCGS AU58--is "definitely rare."

      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.