1855-S $20.00 NGC MS62

Before the discovery of a few choice Uncirculated examples in the S.S. Central America, the 1855-S was exceedingly rare in Uncirculated. It remains quite rare in Mint State, especially at the MS62 and higher level. Both services show a population of six in this grade with just two finer and given resubmissions, this probably means that around a half dozen are known in MS62 with another two or three better. This example doesn't appear to be from the SSCA treasure as it has a satiny look and no sign of seawater erosion in the surfaces. The color is a pleasing medium orange-gold hue with some rose around the devices. The surfaces are choice; a reverse grease stain at the F in OF through the top of the left wing serves as identification and it is mint-made. The last MS62 example of this date to sell at auction was Heritage 3/11: 4910, graded by PCGS, which brought $14,950. An important early San Francisco double eagle for the Type One specialist.

1855-S $20.00 NGC AU58 CAC

This second-year-of-issue double eagle from San Francisco is not as scarce as the first-year 1854-S but it is an undervalued issue in its own right. The 1855-S is mostly found in the EF40 to AU50 grades and it becomes scarce in properly graded Choice AU. This lustrous example is among the most original 1855-S double eagles that I can recall having seen with appealing medium to deep rose and green-gold colors on the obverse and reverse. Traces of dirt are lodged in the protected areas on both sides and this attests to the coin's originality. The last comparable 1855-S to sell at auction was Heritage 3/12: 4206 (slabbed by PCGS but without a CAC sticker) that brought $5,175. If you can find an MS61 example of this date, you are probably looking at spending at least double the amount that this AU58 costs and you are probabaly not getting a better coin. This is one of just three 1855-S double eagles in this grade to earn a CAC sticker and only one finer currently exists with CAC approval.

1855-S $3.00 PCGS EF40 CAC

There were just 6,600 examples struck and this is a numismatically significant issue as the first San Francisco issue of this denomination. The 1855-S is the rarest of the four available San Francisco Three Dollar gold pieces and it is seldom seen in affordable collector grades, especially with natural color and surfaces. This choice, fresh example shows lovely deep natural amber-russet color atop smooth, evenly worn surfaces. There are a few small marks in front of the O in OF but the overall eye appeal of this coin is far above average for the date and grade. This is one of just two examples of this date in EF40 to have ever received approval from CAC (six finer have been recorded as well). The other example, ex Heritage 4/10: 3557, sold for $2,645. I bought that coin out of the aforementioned sale and I think the present example is nicer. This is a great historic branch mint piece for the new collector.