1863 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC MS-63 Ex.Great Kentucky Hoard CAC

The 1863 gold Double Eagle from the Great Kentucky Hoard is a remarkable coin, celebrated for its exceptional preservation, stunning frosty wheat-gold luster, and rich provenance. Minted during the Civil War amid widespread gold hoarding, the Philadelphia Mint struck only 142,790 business strikes (plus 30 Proofs). These coins saw little circulation in the East or Midwest, often commanding premiums, with many exported and melted—making Uncirculated survivors extremely rare.

This example, part of an original bank roll of pristine Mint State coins from the Hoard, was graded MS63 by NGC. It ranks among the finest known, with just one finer (also from the Hoard) and a PCGS MS64 in the Hansen Registry Set. Its dazzling eye appeal and minimal handling (likely fewer than ten hands since minting) place it high in the Condition Census for this elusive issue.

Historically overlooked due to high face value and collector preferences for Proofs, high-grade early-date Double Eagles like the 1863 became nearly unobtainable as interest grew. Pre-Hoard, only 35 were recovered from the S.S. Republic (mostly low-grade Uncirculated), none from the S.S. Brother Jonathan.

With an estimated 200–300 circulated survivors, it's the third-rarest Type I Philadelphia Double Eagle, behind only 1853/2 and 1862.CAC endorses just nine Mint State examples (MS60–MS64), including three MS63 and one MS64—all from the Hoard. A comparable 1864 MS64 sold for $207,000 (2011) and $282,000 (2014), highlighting the 1863's rarity and desirability.