1855-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle, 14H PCGS AU58 (CAC) Ex.SS Central America

1855-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle 14H PCGS AU58 (CAC) Ex.SS Central America

      We at AUCM are offering a exceptional coin for the refined collector who has a strong sense of history. The current offering, an 1855-S $20 gold piece, is both a numismatic rarity and a survivor of the tragic shipwreck of the S.S. Central America. This is a rare gold type coin, the kind that is found in the finest collections.  The night of September 11-12, 1857, saw the sinking of the S.S. Central America, when  425 of her 578 passengers and crew perished at sea in a category 2 hurricane with 105 MPH winds. Plus the sinking of 30,000 pounds (14,000 kg) of gold on board was a major contributing factor to the economic Panic of 1857. Considering those events, this offering from AUCM, an 1855-S double eagle, is rich with history.

      Doug Winters writes, "The 1855-S is one of the better made Type One double eagles from this mint. The obverse shows good hair detail with clear separation on many of the curls. The stars generally show full radial lines and the denticles are clearly separated. On the reverse, the wingtips are sometimes weak but the rest of the detail is sharp. The edges usually show a distinctly beveled appearance....The luster is frosty and it appears a bit subdued in comparison to the Philadelphia coins of this era....The natural coloration for the 1855-S double eagle is a medium to deep orange-gold....Coins from the S.S. Central America may show attractive medium gold hues....It is [easy] to find an 1855-S with good eye appeal....Many 1855-S double eagles are well struck and show above average luster."