A.C. Dwyer's Coin Stories

1857-O Gold $20 Double Eagle

NGC AU-58

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

Total Mintage: 30,000

Overall Rarity Ranking: 13 of 44 coins

Overall Population: approx. 180 to 205 coins

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The Arlington Collection of Type 1 Double Eagles

The Arlington Collection of Type 1 Double Eagles

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About the Coin

While not as famous as its rare 1854-O and 1856-O counterparts, the 1857-O $20 gold double eagle is never-the-less very rare in AU-55 and above. According to New Orleans gold expert Doug Winter, only 7 uncirculated examples are believed to still exist. Three of those examples were discovered in the SS Republic shipwreck.

The example in The Arlington Collection still has plenty of mint luster on both sides. There is very little wear on the coin and it is limited to the highest points of the detail.

Most 1857-O double eagles are very baggy while this example has just a few small marks in the fields on the obverse. The strike appears to be above average and the coin exhibits a nice greenish-gold hue.    

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)