8271

1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. M

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:80,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. M
<B>1853<$20> Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS65 PCGS.</B></I> K-18, R.2. The San Francisco Mint did not strike coins until 1854, but the booming west coast economy was in dire need of gold coinage as early as 1849, the beginning of the most famous gold rush in American history. In 1851, the U.S. Assay Office in California became a semi-official U.S. mint, led by U.S. Assayer Augustus Humbert, who operated out of the facilities of Moffat & Co. Production was limited to $10, $20, and $50 pieces. The largest production of the U.S. Assay Office occurred in 1853. According to Don Kagin as written in his 1981 standard reference <I>Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States,</B></I> more than 2 million Twenty Dollar pieces were produced in 1853, most of which were 0.900 fine. Kagin also states that one piece exists "without crossbar on A's in AMERICA." Perhaps he was referring to the present high grade example, which does not have the crossbar on those two A's, although one exists for the A in STATES. Most examples of Kagin-18 show traces of 88 underdigits in the fineness, however, the present coin does not have this feature, which suggests that it was struck from one of the last obverse dies produced by the Assay Office.<BR>While Assay Office Twenties are not great rarities, by the standards of Territorial Gold, most are not well preserved. They were needed in circulation, where they promptly received edge bruises, scratches, and wear. The majority were eventually melted after the San Francisco Mint commenced operation. Among the small quantity of Uncirculated survivors, most pieces show abrasions from indifferent production and storage. The present Gem is not immaculate, but contact is minimal and of little consequence. The strike is intricate, and the eye appeal is exceptional for the type. Listed on page 299 of the 2005 <I>Guide Book.</B></I> Population: 4 in 65, 0 finer (4/05).