1859-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle AU-58 NGC

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In 1859, the San Francisco Mint produced a run of 636,445 gold double eagles, each carrying a face value of twenty dollars. These substantial coins were minted with a gold purity of 90 percent, containing 0.9675 troy ounces of the precious metal. This particular specimen has survived the decades in an impressive About Uncirculated 58 condition, offering an exceptional look at the minting standards of the era. The obverse features a left-facing profile of Liberty. Her hair is bound by a band clearly inscribed with her name, and she is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. On the reverse, a detailed heraldic eagle stands with a protective shield over its chest. An additional cluster of thirteen stars floats directly above the eagle, while the outer rim displays the words United States of America and the denomination, Twenty D. The small S mint mark below the eagle confirms its origin at the California minting facility.