1857-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Variety-20E. Broken A. Gold S.S. Central America Label. MS-64 (PCGS).

Delightful frosty surfaces are fully struck with a pretty blend of light rose and orange-gold patina. Until the discovery of the S.S. Central America treasure, the early double eagles struck at the San Francisco Mint tended to remain in circulation, making even the very lowest level Mint State specimens very challenging to locate. The more than 5,400 mostly Choice to Gem Mint State double eagles recovered from the wreck have since made this the quintessential Type I Liberty Head issue. The huge numbers of essentially Mint-fresh coins have also allowed numismatists a rare opportunity to closely examine die varieties for a series where this was not generally possible before. The Broken A variety can be readily identified by the missing crossbar of the first letter A in STATES on the reverse. Interestingly, while it appears to have been first described in Breen's 1988 Encyclopedia as number 7188, Evans indicates that the Broken A "has been documented only on 1857 double eagles from the Central America." A fascinating variety in superlative condition ripe for further study by a student of Gold Rush double eagles. This lot includes the original box, case and Certificate of Authenticity for the coin as distributed by Blanchard. T he supporting materials are available to the winning bidder upon request to Stack's Bowers Galleries at the close of the auction .

PCGS# 70004.

PCGS Population (Variety-20E attribution only): 38; 2 finer (both MS-65).

Estimate: $ 9000