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1861-S $20 Liberty. ANACS Dtls of EF40 Paquet Rvs Clnd

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1861-S $20 Liberty. ANACS Dtls of EF40 Paquet Rvs Clnd
<b>1861-S &#36;20 Liberty. Pacquet reverse. ANACS graded Details of EF40 Cleaned.</b> Strict Extremely Fine quality with evidences of original luster still seen around the stars and legends. The smooth clear surface is unusual for this typically heavily abraded rarity, all the more reason to recommend it to collectors. The Paquet reverse was not generally recognized as a variety until the 1930s. A number of pieces were located in Europe some twenty years later, and while these have increased the availability of the Paquet &#36;20 gold somewhat it still remains the scarcest S-mint double eagle. The reduced protective rim on the reverse was thought to be the primary reason for the cancellation of Anthony Paquet&#39;s modifications. This led to excessive wear and abrasion on the coins, which is one reason so few high grade examples are known. This particular specimen will delight the new owner and give hours of pleasurable study and contemplation.

KEY DATE 1861-S PAQUET &#36;20 GOLD RARITY.

Anthony C. Paquet is one of relatively few assistant engravers at the Mint who never achieved the chief engravership position, but whose name is a numismatic byword today because of this rare &#36;20 gold piece. Although he signed numerous medals at the Philadelphia Mint, including the Washington Cabinet Medal for presentation on February 22, 1860, his patterns are unsigned. Among patterns attributed to Paquet are certain cent dies circa 1858, pattern half dollars and &#36;20 coins of 1859, several issues of the 1860s, and at least one 1877 half dollar, among others. Dies employing tall letters with thick uprights are often attributed to him, and in the case of certain 1859 half dollars and of the 1861 Paquet Reverse &#36;20 this is correct. Others may have been from punches that Paquet made, but which were employed by different artists. Anthony C. Paquet was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1814 <b>&#40;PCGS # 8936&#41;</b>

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