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1894 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS63

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SKU
45019795

Choice example of the popular Liberty head double eagle that would be an excellent type coin for your collection. This piece is among the upper tier of what is generally available for the 1894 issue. PCGS has graded 2,208 in MS63, with 306 finer. Well struck example with attractive coloration.

 

Newman Numismatic Portal at Washington University in St. Louis |  Comprehensive Research & Reference for U.S. Coinage

The Contamin portrait lathe, the subject of struggles between engraver Longacre and chief coiner Peale. (Please see below)

The creation of the double eagle design and coin saw conflict reach a fever pitch within the U.S. mint--between chief coiner Franklin Peale and mint director Robert Patterson on one side, and chief engraver James B. Longacre on the other. Patterson despised the senator who influenced Longacre's appointment, while Peale was running an illicit private business making medals for private clients--on the mint's dime with their equipment--with the mint director's unspoken approval. Peale had possession of the Contamin portrait lathe, which was needed to reduce models of designs of medals and coins to reductions from which working dies could be made. Peale did not want to share the lathe, which was a problem when the new double eagle was being created.

Obstacle after obstacle was thrown in Longacre's path as he worked on the coin. Harassment was a constant companion for the skilled engraver, from both Patterson and Peale. It was the result of corruption by and friendship between the two mint officers. No help with engraving work, broken galvanos, broken dies, rejected dies--on more than one occasion--and a false claim of being relieved from his position--were what Longacre had to face daily. Finally he went to the Treasury Secretary in Washington, who discovered all the lies told about Longacre and his work from the Mint officials; that meeting saved his job as chief engraver.

 

 

 

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More Information
PCGS # 9025
Grading Service NONE
Year of Issue NONE
Grade NONE
Denom Type N/A
Numeric Denomination $20
Mint Location NONE
Designation NONE
Circ/UnCirc Not Specified
Strike Type N/A
Grade Add On NONE
Holder Type N/A

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