1863 $20 MS62 NGC....

Description

1863 Double Eagle, MS62
Condition Census Quality
Recovered From the S.S. Republic

1863 $20 MS62 NGC. Ex: S.S. Republic. The sinking of the S.S. Republic on October 25, 1865 off the coast of Georgia had a profound impact on the availability of this Philadelphia Mint issue (142,790 coins struck). Prior to the discovery and distribution these treasure coins, the 1863 twenty dollar was typically only available in Very Fine to Extremely Fine condition, with a few About Uncirculated representatives known. Most examples that were minted and released were shipped overseas, though a smaller number may have seen limited domestic circulation (gold was largely unseen in Eastern commercial channels during the Civil War, when these coins were minted). In either case, virtually all of them were eventually melted.

Today, Doug Winter estimates that 350 to 450 1863 double eagles exist in all, including only 25 to 35 Mint State coins. This is one of the finest survivors we have ever handled, surpassed by a handful of Select Uncirculated representatives, the last of which we handled February 2022 as part of our Long Beach Signature sale (lot 3313). Indeed, we last had the pleasure of offering this coin as part of our 2018 FUN Signature sale, when it realized $57,600.

Die polish lines in the fields help explain the semiprooflike reflectivity seen on each side. This lightly abraded MS62 double eagle is uniformly well-struck. A pinscratch across the tip of the bust is the only overt imperfection. Eye appeal is fabulous. Census: 11 in 62, 12 finer (6/23).
Ex: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2018), lot 5117.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 269P, PCGS# 8939, Greysheet# 9800)

Weight: 33.44 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from NGC