1865-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle MS-64 NGC

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In 1865, the San Francisco Mint struck 1,042,500 gold double eagles, each carrying a face value of 20 dollars. These substantial coins were minted from 0.900 fine gold, containing 0.9675 troy ounces of precious metal. Marked with the distinctive 'S' mint mark, this issue represents a fascinating era of American coinage produced on the Pacific coast. The obverse of the coin features the classic Liberty design, with the word 'LIBERTY' clearly inscribed on her coronet above the date of 1865. While many of these large gold pieces entered heavy circulation or were melted down, this specific specimen survived in extraordinary condition, certified by professional graders at Mint State 64 (MS-64). Finding a coin of this size and age with such a high level of preservation offers a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship of the nineteenth-century San Francisco Mint.