Lot 3655
1853 U.S. Assay Office $20 Gold, 900 THOUS. NGC graded MS-61. Well struck and lightly toned. A perfect opportunity for the collector to acquire a frosty Mint State "Type" example of a U.S. Assay Office $20 gold piece. In their day (before the establishment of the San Francisco Mint), these gold pieces minted from gold rush bullion were the workhorses of commerce up and down the West Coast. Mainly found in grades ranging from Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated, only a few were saved in Mint condition even though quite a few were produced. Collectors like them because they are the more affordable territorial gold coins. Curiously, due to the contract with the Assay Office, these are official issues of the United States Government. As such, these are overlap the regular collectible $20 gold issues that superceded them in 1854. A well struck example with the feather, shield and breast detail virtually complete in their definition. Muted though still frosty luster. A couple of small rim marks. Pop 31.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $10,200 |
