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Lot 0506 1857-S $20 Liberty PCGS MS66 S.S. Central Amer

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 150,000.00 USD
Lot 0506 1857-S $20 Liberty PCGS MS66 S.S. Central Amer
(SSCA 0230). A very commendable, high-end example of this issue from one of the most famous treasures the world has ever imagined. The 1857-S offered here is similar to most others in the group -- it has a classic sharp strike and is, without mincing words, exceedingly beautiful. Not just everyday beautiful, but heart-stoppingly so. The difference is that the grade is in the superb range, checking in at a strong Mint State 66. Such pieces were in the minority with this group. Here, indeed is a dazzling numismatic treasure in the technical sense, one of several we are proud to offer in the sale. From the S.S. Central America. Inventory No. SSCA 0230.

As noted elsewhere, but still deserving discussion, the mint at San Francisco opened for business in 1854 once the flood of gold bullion issuing from California's Sierra Nevada mother lodes began to overwhelm commerce in the burgeoning state. From the initial discovery in 1848 at Sutter's Mill until the mint opened, numerous private mints worked the raw gold into ingots and coin in this region of the state. Much of the coinage from San Francisco headed east through various avenues to the Eastern banking establishment and from there for use as export. The double eagles that remained in California were used a money since the state's residents objected to paper money of any kind. This is the chief cause for the heavy circulation wear found on $20 gold pieces of the period, and only rarely is one available in glittering fresh mint condition like this. Among the finest graded by PCGS.