1857-S $20.00 NGC AU58 CAC

Back before the discovery of the S.S. Central America, the 1857-S double eagle was actually a scarce coin and this piece, with its obvious non-seawater surfaces, represents what would have been just about the best available quality for the date way back when. To my eyes, this is a fully Uncirculated coin with superb natural orange-gold color and bold, unbroken luster. There are light, uniform scuffs on both the obverse and the reverse but this piece is exceptional for the grade. It is interesting to note that many inferior SSCA AU examples of the 1857-S sell for a premium over the far more rare pieces with natural surfaces.

CAC has approved six in this grade with 36 finer. It is impossible to break these numbers down into SSCA and non-SSCA totals.