1850 Liberty Double Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). Secure Holder.；This gorgeous representative from the inaugural year of the denomination sports a uniform patina of rich yellow-gold hues. Considerable reflectivity glimmers throughout the fields, imparting a modest contrast with the more frosted design elements. Undisturbed luster generously blankets the protected regions and becomes only negligibly sparse atop the high points. A glass will unveil trivial, scattered abrasions all too insignificant to distract the naked eye from the overall complexion. A single shallow mark at Libertys throat is the only noteworthy identifier, and even this is harmless to the larger aesthetic. Boldly rendered and thoroughly handsome, this lightly circulated piece is a true jewel. <p>Upon its debut in 1850 the twenty-dollar gold double eagle supplanted the ten-dollar gold eagle as the largest regular issue denomination produced by the United States Mint. The double eagle came about as a result of the California Gold Rush, that had been touched off by James Wilson Marshalls discovery of gold in the American River on January 24, 1848. The federal government soon realized that a large denomination coin would serve as a convenient storehouse for the vast quantities of precious metal that were soon flowing east. Authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849, the double eagle fulfilled this role.
