1857-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle, 20E PCGS AU58 Ex.SS Central America w/Box & COA

This piece is from the first retrieval mission of the SS Central America during 2003. This coin is in the exclusive PCGS Gold Foil label. That tells you that this important specimen is from that first, earlier mission. The Gold Foil label is an important pedigree for aficionados of shipwreck gold coinage. In its assigned grade of AU58, this is a decidedly more reasonably priced survivor of the tragic wreck of the SS Central America. PCGS has graded 108 examples of the 20E (Broken A) variety of the 1857-S as AU58, with 202 finer.

A golden treasure on the ocean’s floor from the wreckage of the SS Central America.

The obverse of the $20 Double Eagle features a left-facing Liberty. A pearl-encrusted coronet inscribed with “Liberty” adorns her wavy hair, which flows down her neck. Thirteen stars that represent the original colonies/states surround her bust. The reverse presents Longacre's exaggerated design, featuring a heraldic eagle, one that is quite different from eagles previously found upon our coinage. Dramatic rays emanate from the national bird, and a circle of 13 stars is found hovering over the eagle. Two contrived ribbons encircle the awkward creature, one of which the eagle holds firmly in its beak. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is split between the two ribbons. A federal shield is found on its breast and arrows and the ivy branch of peace are found, respectively, in its right and left talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY D. surround the bird at the coin's rim.