Numismatic

1859-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle AU-55 NGC

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In 1859, the San Francisco Mint struck a limited run of 636,445 twenty-dollar gold coins, known to enthusiasts as the Liberty Double Eagle. This substantial piece of currency contains nearly a full troy ounce of gold, specifically 0.9675 ounces, alloyed with copper to a purity of 90 percent. Bearing the 'S' mint mark, it stands as a tangible survivor of early western minting operations, produced during a time when gold coins were the backbone of high-value commerce in California. The obverse design features the classic profile of Liberty, her hair secured with a tiara inscribed with the word 'LIBERTY', surrounded by thirteen stars and the 1859 date. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle beneath a ring of stars, flanked by ornate scrolls, with the country name 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and the denomination 'TWENTY D.' wrapping around the design. This specific specimen has survived the decades in an impressive About Uncirculated condition, officially graded as AU-55.