Numismatic

1873-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Closed 3 AU-55 NGC

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In 1873, the San Francisco Mint struck a magnificent twenty dollar gold piece that remains a captivating study for numismatists today. This specific issue is known as the Closed 3 variety, a subtle typographic detail in the date that distinguishes it from other issues of the same year. Crafted from 90 percent gold, this double eagle contains nearly a full troy ounce of precious metal, specifically 0.9675 ounces, representing the substantial physical wealth circulating in late nineteenth-century America. The obverse of the coin features a classic representation of Liberty facing left. 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 bold heraldic eagle stands with a protective shield draped across its chest. Thirteen stars hover in an oval pattern above the eagle, which is surrounded by the inscriptions identifying the nation as the United States of America and declaring the face value of twenty dollars. This particular specimen has survived the decades in impressive About Uncirculated condition, certified at a grade of AU-55. The preservation of its fine details, from the individual stars to the feathers of the heraldic eagle, offers a clear window into the high-caliber coin production of the San Francisco Mint during this historic era.