1860-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC XF45 Ex.SS Republic

Here’s a rare coin that was struck on the cusp of the Civil War. It is also a survivor of the tragic wreck of the SS Republic. Please take a look at the images provided by AUCM—and then imagine calling this piece your own. Of the SS Republic hoard, NGC has graded 2 of the 1860-S as XF45 with 64 finer.

The First San Francisco Mint building, where this example was struck in 1860. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

David Akers writes, “The 1860-S is one of the rarest Double Eagles from the San Francisco Mint. It is not as rare as the 1861-S Paquet or the 1866-S No Motto, the two rarest S-Mint issues, but it is in the second rarity level along with the 1854-S, 1861-S, 1862-S, 1864-S, 1866-S Motto, 1867-S and 1868-S. When available, the typical 1860-S is only VF or EF. Strictly graded AU's are very scarce and uncirculated specimens are rare.”