1863-S $20.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

As with most of the Civil War era San Francisco double eagles, the 1863-S is a condition rarity. Some Uncirculated pieces are known from the discovery of the Brother Jonathan and S.S. Republic shipwrecks but pieces in MS62 and above with original surfaces are very rare. This fresh-to-the-market example has a remarkable appearance for the grade with natural frosty luster and appealing light yellow-gold color. As on all known examples, the obverse strike is not totally defined while the reverse is considerably sharper. The surfaces have the body of an MS63 to MS64 but there are two small reeding marks near Liberty's bun that narrowly remove this piece from a higher grade. The last PCGS MS62 to sell at auction was Heritage 12/09: 1923 (at $18,400) which, while not designated as such, was clearly a shipwreck coin with dull, lackluster surfaces. This is the finest 1863-S double eagle that I have owned in a number of years and it is one of just three in MS62 approved by CAC with none finer. A very important piece that is destined for a world-class set of Type One double eagles.