1866 $20.00 PCGS AU58 CAC

With Motto variety. In 1866, coinage of the new Type Two double eagles began with the addition of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST to the reverse. Nearly 700,000 examples were made and this is certainly not a rare date in terms of the total number known. However, the 1866 becomes progressively scarcer as the grading scale is climbed and properly graded AU58 examples are far harder to locate than their seemingly high population figures would suggest. This example is a glorious "slider" with superb deep original orange-gold color and a slightly less exaggerated than usual "Euro" appearance with contrasting highlights. There is no real wear to speak of and a considerable amount of natural mint frost below the toning. I was offered an MS61 example of this date recently (for $14,500) that I felt was inferior to this example from the standpoint of eye appeal. CAC has approved nine 1866 With Motto double eagles in AU58 but it is hard to imagine any of them having a better appearance than this coin.