1239

Lot 1239 - 1876 $20 Liberty PCGS MS63

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:9,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Lot 1239 - 1876 $20 Liberty PCGS MS63
1876 $20 Liberty. Fresh "mint" gold in color from the 10% copper alloy in the metal, the surfaces exhibit eye-opening striking definition for a Type 2 twenty. In fact, it has a nice, convincing strike for most areas with only a small pocket of softness on the hair above Liberty's brow and in portions of the central reverse.

President Ulysses Grant suffered through an embarrassing second full term in office when this handsome 1876 $20 gold piece was made. Press agents delighted in reporting Grant's botched administration; meanwhile, scandal mongers had a field day as one revelation after another rocked the nation. Why were so few gold $20 1876s saved in Mint condition? After all, this was America's centennial year, replete with fireworks and parades. Perhaps the worldwide business slowdown had something to do with it. Businessmen were pulling in their horns and collectors were pinching pennies along with everyone else, not willing to fritter away money on such frivolous luxuries. Whatever the causes, only a few of these historic relics are still around to remind us of what Mark Twain derided as that "Gilded Age" in American history. (#8976)