LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 November Houston, TX US Coin Sign. #370  / 

61779

1854-S $20 MS61 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:18,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1854-S $20 MS61 PCGS
<B>1854-S $20 MS61 PCGS.</B></I> Small Date. Ex: Bass. Over the past 30 years there has been an impression that the 1854-S twenty is a common coin in high grades. In a sense that is true, but it only pertains to the coins recovered from the <I>S.S. Yankee Blade. </B></I>Many of the coins salvaged from that wreck show abrasions that are consistent with a coin that grades MS64 or 65. However, these pieces have surfaces that were "etched" by the effect of sand and seawater over a period of 100+ years. As a result, the luster is usually gone from 1854-S twenties that have been so recovered, and they are "netted" in the area of MS60. <BR> That is what makes this coin so special. This is an 1854-S that is in Mint State and it has pleasing mint luster. It is not a <I>Yankee Blade </B></I>coin, and in fact it cannot be from that salvage effort as Harry Bass purchased it prior to the recovery of those coins. The surfaces are bright with thin, frosted mint luster and there is a significant presence of reddish patina on each side. Sharply defined throughout with no singularly detracting abrasions.<BR><I>Ex: ANA Auction (Stack's, 8/1976), lot 3175; Bass III (Bowers and Merena, 5/2000), lot 781, which realized $10,925.</B></I><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>)
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