1885 $20 AU55 PCGS....

Description

1885 Liberty Twenty, AU55
Classic 19th Century Rarity
Only 751 Examples Struck

1885 $20 AU55 PCGS. Official U.S. Treasury policy was to encourage the use of lower denomination gold coinage during the 1880s, so the Philadelphia Mint produced double eagles in limited numbers throughout most of the decade. The 1885 Liberty double eagle claims a minuscule business-strike mintage of just 751 pieces. Mike Fuljenz estimates the surviving population at 90-100 specimens in all grades today. Most examples seen are in the XF-AU range, due to excessive bagmarks. The typical specimen appears to have circulated lightly and few examples show extensive wear, but almost all exhibit signs of rough storage and transport. The 1885 was extremely elusive in earlier years, but a surprising number of new coins came on the market in the 1992-1994 era, suggesting the liquidation of a small hoard.

A small mintage of 77 proof Liberty double eagles was accomplished in 1885 and this adequately satisfied the limited collector demand for this date in the 19th century, but collecting double eagles is much more popular today and demand for every issue is much higher. In addition, present-day numismatists no longer treat proofs and business-strikes as interchangeable examples of the same issue. Their different methods of production require that they be classified and collected separately. As a result, the small supply of surviving business-strikes is totally inadequate to meet collector demand today.

The present coin is an attractive Choice AU example, with pleasing orange-gold surfaces. The expected number of minor, grade-consistent abrasions are present, but they are minimized by the vivid color and vibrant mint luster of this piece, with deep prooflike reflectivity in selected areas. An amber alloy spot accents the obverse field at star 2. The design elements were strongly impressed and show just a trace of wear on the high points. Overall eye appeal is outstanding. Population: 12 in 55, 20 finer (7/16).
From The Twelve Oaks Collection.(Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26BM, PCGS# 9003, Greysheet# 9821)

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.

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