4192

1857 $20 MS64 NGC. Here is a coin for the ages, and on

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:47,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1857 $20 MS64 NGC. Here is a coin for the ages, and on
<B>1857<$20> MS64 NGC.</B></I> Here is a coin for the ages, and one of the finest known double eagles from this date and mint. What makes this coin so unusual is that it is from Philadelphia in 1857, <I>unlike</B></I> the hundreds of Mint State San Francisco examples recovered from the <I>S.S. Central America</B></I> shipwreck. Therefore, the present coin survived randomly and not with hundreds of others in a "Davey Jones' locker" time capsule awaiting future recovery. The surfaces are excellent for a double eagle of this period, with no disfiguring bagmarks that afflict the surfaces of virtually every other example of this date and mint. Ample luster pleases the eye and the strike is typically sharp. Liberty's broad cheek and neck show minimal luster grazes and are attractive. To date a grand total of three examples have been certified at this grade level,<I> and importantly, none are graded finer.</B></I> For identification purposes there is a tiny reeding nick below the O of OF and another mid-field below RI of AMERICA. A thoroughly satisfying example of this common date in extraordinary condition.<BR> In 1857 America was experiencing boom times. The California Gold Rush was in full swing, with regular shipments of gold arriving monthly to juice the Eastern economic muscle. Disaster struck in September 1857 when the <I>S.S. Central America</B></I> was lost to a hurricane, not only for the lives that were lost, but also for the gold that went down with the ship. Insurance companies and banks soon felt the economic pain, and many closed their doors forever. In time, the economy recovered and life went on, but the gathering storm clouds of war were soon on the horizon. These factors perhaps combined to keep the present coin in secure hiding, and thus it was set aside awaiting better days. Somehow it has come down to us in Choice condition, an unheard-of grade for this issue. A historic and exciting coin for the advanced numismatist. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. This lot is being auctioned in conjunction with a live floor auction by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, and all other information should be considered preliminary. Lot:4192 <BR><BR><B>Winning Notification and Billing:</B> After the FINAL session in this auction is complete, Heritage will send e-mail and snail mail invoices. This process normally takes several days. All final auction and invoice information will be supplied by Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers, and all other information should be considered preliminary. <BR><BR>This auction will be conducted on a live auction floor and over the Internet through eBay Live. If you choose to place an absentee bid, please take a moment to <font color='#0000ff'><u><a href='http://pages.ebay.com/liveauctions/help/before/laabsentee.html'>learn how eBay Live absentee bidding works</a></u></font><font color='#000000'>