5633

1863 $20 AU58 NGC. At the height of the Civil War, few

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:850.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1863 $20 AU58 NGC. At the height of the Civil War, few
<B>1863<$20> AU58 NGC.</B></I> At the height of the Civil War, few gold and silver coins were produced in Philadelphia, while the San Francisco Mint continued full scale operations. Among all denominations from the cent to the double eagle, Philadelphia coined 3.7 million dollars and San Francisco produced 20 million dollars. Nearly all of the mintage at each facility was in the form of double eagles. Treasure finds have yielded only a few examples, and no earlier hoards have been discovered. The remarkable Harry Bass Collection contained several examples, but the finest was just XF45. The Dallas Bank Collection contained a similar quality XF example. Higher grade coins are quite rare, as pointed out by Dave Bowers: "The 1863 is scarce in all grades. Most are VF and EF, punctuated by occasional offerings of AU examples. True Mint State coins are so rare that many old-timers have never seen one."<BR> Unlike most, this example has excellent surfaces that are minimally abraded, although a shallow scrape is evident on Liberty's cheek with another in the upper hair details above the coronet. Both sides have frosty medium yellow luster with only a trace of highpoint wear. A few slight hairlines can be seen with close inspection. According to Winter and Crum, this date parallels the 1862 issue in terms of importance: "The 1863 is a rare and very under-appreciated coin whose true importance will quickly become known. Buy any nice piece you are offered and do not be bashful about price levels."<BR><I>From The Wyoming Collection.</B></I>