A.C. Dwyer's Coin Stories

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1857-S Gold $20 Double Eagle

Type 1 No Motto - S.S. Central America

PCGS MS-63 DMPL

 

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The Arlington Collection of Shipwreck Treasure

 

 

The Arlington Collection of Shipwreck Treasure

 

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About the Coin

 

For shipwreck treasure collectors like myself, Type 1 double eagles recovered from major shipwrecks like the S.S. Central America, S.S. Brother Jonathan, and S.S. Republic created some great excitement. They also allowed us to add some beautiful gems to our collections. The Arlington Collection has an MS-65 example from each of the three shipwrecks.

 

The Type 1 double eagle spanned some of the most memorable years in our nations history. It owes its existence, along with the gold dollar, to the California Gold Rush. The Type 1 came to an end when rising religious sentiment during the Civil War led to the Type 2 double eagle with the adding of the motto "In God We Trust" on the reverse.

 

Although this S.S. Central America shipwreck example from The Arlington Collection is not one of those graded MS-65, it is definitely one of my favorites. It is the only double eagle I have ever come across with the DMPL (Deep Mirror Proof-like) designation on its holder. This example is one of only seven S.S. Central America shipwreck coins graded as DMPL. 

 

I have a number of double eagles with the PL designation on their holders and yet this DMPL example is like nothing I have ever seen. The deep, dark orange coloring and deep mirror reflectiveness gives this coin a unique and very appealing appearance. The photos don't do justice to this coin.

 

The 1857-S double eagle is listed in the book 

 

Designer: James B. Longacre

Weight: 33.436 grams

Diameter: approx. 34mm, reeded edge

Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper/silver

 

PCGS Price Guide: Libery Head $20 (1850-1907)

 

Article: How to calculate the content and value of gold or silver in a coin