3760

1853-O $20 AU55 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1853-O $20 AU55 NGC
<B>1853-O $20 AU55 NGC.</B></I> Although quite a few pieces have been certified in various AU grades, this issue is a condition rarity with just six coins certified as Mint State. At the start of the California Gold Rush, the New Orleans Mint was the closest operating mint to California. From 1850 through 1852, New Orleans coined 646,000 double eagles, representing 625,000 ounces of pure gold. Today, with gold at $660 per ounce, that is over 400 million dollars worth of gold.<BR> In 1853, with higher production of private gold coinage in California, the New Orleans mintage dropped to 71,000 coins, and in 1854, when the San Francisco Mint opened, New Orleans gold coinage almost disappeared entirely, as only 13,000 double eagles were coined from 1854 to 1856.<BR> This piece is a splendid Choice AU coin with nearly full green-gold luster, accented by subliminal rose toning. The appearance is familiar to those who are cognizant of California gold pieces. Census: 38 in 55, 38 finer (8/07).<BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> James B. Longacre<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)