1852-O $20 Liberty NGC AU58

The 1852-O $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle, carrying an NGC AU58 grade along with a CAC endorsement, offers an intriguing glimpse into a significant era in American coinage history. This coin bears subtle signs of wear and proudly originates from the distinguished New Orleans Mint. Its AU58 grade and CAC approval combine to enhance its appeal to collectors, particularly those captivated by the historical significance and rarity of pre-Civil War gold coins.

On the obverse side of the coin, one can admire the left-facing depiction of Liberty, gracefully encircled by a constellation of 13 stars. Her flowing hair descends gently to her shoulder, and upon her crown, or coronet, is inscribed the word LIBERTY in raised relief. The date is meticulously positioned at the bottom of the coin. This portrait draws inspiration from a Greco-Roman statue that profoundly influenced its designer, James Longacre.

Flipping the coin to its reverse side, an eagle takes center stage with its majestic wings outstretched. On its chest lies a Union shield, symbolizing the strength of a unified America. In its right talon, the eagle clutches an olive branch, signifying peace, while in its left talon, it holds a bundle of arrows, representing preparedness. Above the eagle's head, within an oval, rests a constellation of 13 stars, encircled by an intricate pattern of radiant rays. The coin's denomination is clearly stated at the bottom as TWENTY D. The double scrolls flanking the shield, featuring E PLURIBUS on the left and UNUM on the right, refer to the double eagle denomination and showcase Longacre's design ingenuity.

The Type 1 Liberty Head Double Eagles, minted annually from 1850 to 1866, encompass a series teeming with rare specimens. Mint-state examples consistently remain scarce, with the majority categorized as rare, and a substantial portion classified as very rare. Branch Mint releases, especially those from New Orleans, are particularly elusive within the series.

Interestingly, a significant portion of the 1861 New Orleans issue was minted under the authority of the Confederacy. Unfortunately, distinguishing between coins struck by the United States and those minted by the Confederate States is an impossible task. As per Breen's research, roughly 71% of the mintage was produced under Confederate control, making it highly likely that any collector possessing an 1861-O specimen owns a coin minted during the time when the Confederate flag flew over the Mint.

Earning legendary status within this series is the 1861 Paquet Reverse issue. In that year, Mint Engraver Anthony Paquet introduced notable alterations to the reverse design, primarily affecting the lettering and the rim. Paquet's rendition featured elongated and slender letters, along with a significantly narrower border when compared to the original Longacre design. While artistically pleasing, these changes proved impractical, as the narrow rim failed to protect the devices from wear and led to premature die breakage. Consequently, the Mint Director ordered the reinstatement of the old reverse design and promptly instructed the San Francisco Mint to halt the use of the new design via telegram. Notably, only two specimens with the Paquet Reverse from the Philadelphia Mint are known to exist, while San Francisco Mint coins, though infrequently available, hold a special allure due to their limited mintage of 19,250 pieces. Despite this relatively low mintage figure, these coins are highly sought-after double eagles, often commanding a higher value than one might anticipate.