Search: 8936

Skip to main content

Go to accessibility options

Auction 1355 | Lot 9065 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58+ PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Live: Phone

Featured 360 Degree View

Service PCGS

Grade AU58+

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 5, 2023

Auction Archives
Sold For: $312,000.00
Auction 1364 | Lot 3258 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured 360 Degree View

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 20, 2023

Auction Archives
Sold For: $240,000.00
Auction 1204 | Lot 5807 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Live: Floor

Featured

Service PCGS

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Apr 27, 2014

Auction Archives
Sold For: $223,250.00
Auction 1166 | Lot 5039 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Live: Floor

Featured 360 Degree View

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 8, 2012

Auction Archives
Sold For: $184,000.00
Auction 1191 | Lot 3900 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured 360 Degree View

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Nov 1, 2013

Auction Archives
Sold For: $176,250.00
Auction 1223 | Lot 4460 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet Reverse AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured 360 Degree View

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 12, 2015

Auction Archives
Sold For: $164,500.00
Auction 1348 | Lot 4117 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured 360 Degree View

Service PCGS

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 28, 2022

Auction Archives
Sold For: $162,000.00
Auction 454 | Lot 3312 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 12, 2008

Auction Archives
Sold For: $161,000.00
Auction 1122 | Lot 3020 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Mail/Fax

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Feb 8, 2009

Auction Archives
Sold For: $161,000.00
Auction 1223 | Lot 4461 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 12, 2015

Auction Archives
Sold For: $152,750.00
Auction 1117 | Lot 3035 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Oct 25, 2008

Auction Archives
Sold For: $149,500.00
Auction 404 | Lot 4209 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. Anthony Paquet was fond of tall letters that combined thick and thin elements with delicate serifs, and these features appear on the reverse of this special double eagle variety, as well as a number of pattern coins by the same artist. These special reverse dies were made late in 1860, and sent to San Francisco in November of that year. Shortly after the new year began, it was determined in Philadelphia that this design modification was not appropriate for these coins, and production was ceased. However, word was not quick to reach San Francisco, as telegraph lines were not yet completed. Word was sent overland to San Francisco that the new dies should not be used, but that facility had already coined 19,250 of these pieces. They were released to circulation, and a small number survive today.

Every example of this issue shows signs of circulation, and nearly all are heavily abraded. This example, while exhibiting the slightest trace of wear, has exceptional surfaces with only a few minor abrasions on each side. Both sides have nearly full luster with exceptional light yellow surfaces and traces of pink color. It is quite sharply struck with no apparent signs of design weakness. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest available examples of the variety.

Although the 1861-S Paquet variety was known in the late 19th century, widespread recognition of the die differences did not occur until the middle 20th century. It was not until the 1960s that a number of examples were discovered in Europe, and today a couple hundred are known. Census: nine in 58, none are finer (3/06). (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Apr 29, 2006

Auction Archives
Sold For: $149,500.00
Auction 1121 | Lot 4145 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured

Service PCGS

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 11, 2009

Auction Archives
Sold For: $149,500.00
Auction 1271 | Lot 5109 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58+ NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: HA.com/Live

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58+

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 8, 2018

Auction Archives
Sold For: $144,000.00
Auction 1365 | Lot 3154 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured 360 Degree View

Service PCGS

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Sep 14, 2023

Auction Archives
Sold For: $138,000.00
Auction 1342 | Lot 3307 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU53 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: HA.com/Live

Featured 360 Degree View

Service PCGS

Grade AU53

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Feb 27, 2022

Auction Archives
Sold For: $132,000.00

Make Offer to Owner
$198,000 or more
Auction 1219 | Lot 5439 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured

Service PCGS

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Apr 26, 2015

Auction Archives
Sold For: $129,250.00
Auction 1387 | Lot 3639 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Featured 360 Degree View

Service PCGS

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Nov 14, 2025

Auction Archives
Sold For: $126,000.00
Auction 1291 | Lot 4726 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: HA.com/Live

Featured

Service PCGS

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 14, 2019

Auction Archives
Sold For: $114,000.00
Auction 414 | Lot 5629 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 NGC. Reverse dies featuring the Anthony C. Paquet design were sent to San Francisco in November 1860, and production began shortly after the first of the year. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, it was determined that the Paquet design was faulty, and that the coins would not strike up properly. The problem with the design was that the rim was too narrow, and would not properly balance the rim on the obverse die. Instructions to discontinue use of the Paquet dies were immediately sent to the San Francisco Mint on January 5, 1861, but that Mint did not receive word until February 2, after some 19,250 coins were produced. There was certainly no email in 1861, not even a completed telegraph line. San Francisco Mint Superintendent Charles Hempstead replied to the communication on February 9, noting that he had received the instructions and that the Paquet reverse dies had been removed from service, although he also noted in his reply that $385,000 had already been produced with these coinage dies, thus the source for the mintage figure. Today, it is estimated that about 1% of the original mintage still survives, or about 200 coins.

Although Walter Breen credited the discovery of this variety to Arthur J. Fecht, who found an example in Hull, Texas and reported the discovery to The Numismatist in 1937, it was mentioned in the American Journal of Numismatics as early as 1895, and was apparently known before that time. Hull, Texas is located just a few miles northeast of Houston. Most examples that are known today have surfaced in the last 50 years, with many found in European gold holdings. At least one example, apparently a near-Mint grade coin, was recovered in the treasure of the S.S. Republic.

This is a pleasing light yellow-gold example with wispy rose color on each side, especially on the rims. The surfaces are exceptionally clean, although with a few faint hairlines on the obverse, including one in the lower left field. It (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Live: Floor

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 14, 2006

Auction Archives
Sold For: $109,250.00
Auction 414 | Lot 5630 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU55 NGC. This one-year type is a perennial favorite among advanced collectors. David Akers calls the 1861-S Paquet: "The rarest Liberty Head Double Eagle from the San Francisco Mint," and he adds that: "Its only really close competitor for that distinction is the 1866-S No Motto but, in my opinion, there are more of the latter in existence than there are 1861-S Paquets."

The Paquet Reverse received very little in the way of publicity until the 1930s, and it was still unknown to many collectors as recently as the late 1940s/early 1950s. A number of San Francisco examples were eventually located in Europe and, as more surfaced, the fame of the Paquet Reverse grew.

This is one of the finest Paquets that we have ever handled. Much of the original mint luster still remains. Each side shows a few moderate marks. (The rim normally offers some measure of protection to the interior devices from abrasions and circulation. The Paquet reverse has a greatly reduced rim and it was quickly discovered that this design flaw increased abrasions and friction from handling.) What is particularly noteworthy about this piece (in addition to its high grade), is how clean and problem-free the reverse is. Well struck also, with the only notable softness seen on the first three obverse stars. Light khaki-gold patina covers the softly frosted surfaces. A simply outstanding Paquet double eagle.
From The Groth Family Collection. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Podium

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU55

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 14, 2006

Auction Archives
Sold For: $109,250.00
Auction 336 | Lot 3110 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU58 NGC. It is clear that this reverse variation was noted as early as 1865, as an 1861 Philadelphia Paquet Reverse double eagle was sold as lot 2818 in W.E. Woodward's Bache Collection where it realized $37, a significant sum in this era for an esoteric gold coin sold only four years after its issuance.

The Paquet Reverse received very little in the way of publicity until the 1930s and it was still unknown to many collectors as recently as the late 1940s/early 1950s. A number of San Francisco examples were later located in Europe and, as more surfaced, the fame of the Paquet reverse grew. Today, it is clearly recognized as the rarest double eagle from the San Francisco mint. We believe this issue may still be undervalued when one considers its rarity and great story.

There do not appear to be any pieces known that grade Uncirculated by today's interpretations. There may be as many as 16-20 known in About Uncirculated. The Paquet reverse is very rare in AU55 and extremely rare in AU58. The nicest piece sold in recent memory was the Dallas Bank Collection: 31 coin that was graded "Choice About Uncirculated" by Sotheby's/Stack's. It realized $40,250.

This is the finest Paquet we can remember having handled. Most of the original mint luster still remains, although it is a bit thin in places. The obverse shows a few milling marks. Curiously, the obverse is more noticeably abraded than the reverse despite the fact that the obverse has the regular rim, as seen on all other double eagles. The rim normally offers some measure of protection to the interior devices from abrasions and circulation. The Paquet reverse has a greatly reduced rim and it was quickly discovered that this design flaw increased abrasions and friction from handling. What is particularly noteworthy about this piece (in addition to its high grade), is how clean and problem-free the reverse is. Well struck also, with the only notable softness seen around the peripheral stars on the obv (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Live: Floor

Featured

Service NGC

Grade AU58

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 10, 2004

Auction Archives
Sold For: $97,750.00
Auction 1341 | Lot 4745 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU53 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured 360 Degree View

Service NGC

Grade AU53

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Jan 14, 2022

Auction Archives
Sold For: $93,000.00
Auction 1381 | Lot 3409 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU50 PCGS. (PCGS# 8936)
Featured Video Description 360 Degree View

Service PCGS

Grade AU50

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Mar 2, 2025

Auction Archives
Sold For: $90,360.00
Auction 1348 | Lot 4116 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles
1861-S $20 Paquet AU50 NGC. (PCGS# 8936)
Bid Source: Internet

Featured Video Description 360 Degree View

Service NGC

Grade AU50

Auction Ended
Live Bid Now

Aug 28, 2022

Auction Archives
Sold For: $87,000.00

1

2 3 4

Results per page: 10 25 50