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1866-S $20 No Motto AU55 NGC. The San Francisco Mint p

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:37,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1866-S $20 No Motto AU55 NGC. The San Francisco Mint p
<B>1866-S<$20> No Motto AU55 NGC.</B></I> The San Francisco Mint produced two different design double eagles in this transitional year. The No Motto coins were produced in February 1866, prior to arrival of new reverse dies that were shipped the next month. San Francisco Mint records indicated that actual production of the Type One issue amounted to 120,000 coins, although several sources have given an alternative mintage of 12,000 coins, suggesting that most of the original coinage was melted. It is especially confusing that the 2007 <I>Guide Book of United States Coins</B></I> records a mintage of 12,000 coins, while the same publisher's <I>A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins</B></I> records 120,000 coins. Careful examination of Mint records might reveal the actual total. Regardless of mintage, this particular issue is the second rarest San Francisco Mint double eagle behind the 1861-S Paquet Reverse variety. It is especially rare in high grades, and Mint State examples are currently unknown.<BR> Approximately 200 examples of this rare issue still exist today (Dave Bowers gave a range of 175 to 250 pieces), and nearly all grade in the VF to XF range. Only a few pieces grade AU, perhaps a dozen in total. A quarter century ago, David Akers stated that only two AU examples were known to him. This example has brilliant yellow-gold surfaces with a hint of greenish color. Both sides have nearly full frosty mint luster, and have only been slightly touched by circulation. Traces of wear are visible on Liberty's cheek and top hair curls. The reverse is essentially mint state without evidence of wear. Both sides are sharply struck with essentially full design details. The stars around the obverse are fully defined and even the reverse stars have strong design details. Minor abrasions are evident, somewhat heavier on the obverse with prominent marks between Liberty's lowest curls and star 13