A.C. Dwyer's Coin Stories

1857-S Gold $20 Double Eagle

Type 1 No Motto - S.S. Central America

PCGS MS-63 DMPL

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

Total Mintage: 970,500

Overall Rarity Ranking: 44 of 44 coins

Overall Population: approx. 6,000 to 7,000 coins

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The Arlington Collection of Shipwreck Treasure

The Arlington Collection of Shipwreck Treasure

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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 those shipwrecks.

The Type 1 double eagle spanned some of the most memorable years in our nations history. It owes its existence to the California Gold Rush and it came to an end due to rising religious sentiment during the Civil War leading to the adding of the motto 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 eagle 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.

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