Numismatic

1856-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle AU-55 NGC

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Struck during an era of immense western expansion, this 1856 twenty-dollar gold piece represents a fascinating moment in American coining. Minted in San Francisco, the coin contains 0.9675 troy ounces of pure gold within its overall ninety percent gold composition. This specific specimen has been evaluated and certified in About Uncirculated 55 (AU-55) condition, preserving the intricate details of its mid-nineteenth-century craftsmanship. The front of the coin features a left-facing profile of Liberty, her hair bound by a band clearly displaying her name. Framing her portrait are thirteen stars, which represent the original colonies, with the date 1856 positioned at the bottom. This classic imagery was created by James B. Longacre, who designed the series that the United States Mint produced from 1850 to 1907. On the reverse, a majestic eagle holds a shield against its chest, positioned beneath a circular halo of thirteen stars. The surrounding inscriptions clearly denote the issuing authority as the United States of America, along with the twenty-dollar face value, which is written out as Twenty D.