FS-101, Double Die Obverse.

There are not many die varieties in the Type One Liberty Head double eagle series which are recognized by the grading services and actively collected by specialists but the impressive 1859-S Double Die Obverse qualifies as such. There is strong doubling seen on mot of the letters in LIBERTY as well as doubling on the profile extending from the bridge of the nose down to the throat. I have checked every 1859-S $20 available to me for the last decade+ and it seems that fewer than 5% show this doubling. Clearly, this is a rare variety, especially in higher grades. The best I have handled was a PCGS/CAC MS61 which I sold to a specialist collector last year; I have seen one other in Uncirculated and two in AU58.

This is a choice example which likely was stored in a European vault as it has a distinct deep gold color with darker highlights. There is minimal actual wear; mostly light “bag friction” and a good deal of luster remains intact. The surfaces show scattered marks but are choice for the date. The eye appeal of this coin is excellent and it is a truly rare issue as such.

A PCGS AU58 example of this variety (unattributed) sold for $10,575 as Stacks Bowers 6/14: 2622.

Ex Heritage 8/14: 4090 (unattributed and without CAC approval) where it sold for $7,050.

For more information on this date, click here.