1859-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58 (NGC). CAC.A handsome and inviting piece with even medium gold patina to both sides. Plenty of satiny mint luster remains, ample bold to sharp detail further enhancing already strong eye appeal. The mintage for this elusive San Francisco Mint double eagle is 636,445 coins, more than 210,000 pieces fewer than the previous years tally at our nations westernmost mint. Face value equaled $16,934,200. Circulated survivors number 1,200 to 1,800 coins, with many of those pieces just VF to EF, and AU examples such as this much scarcer. This issue is among the rarest double eagles of its era in Mint State, with few examples represented in treasure ship and foreign hoard finds. In fact, only 67 examples were discovered with the shipwreck of the <em>S.S. Republic</em>, and only one of those coins was subsequently certified as Mint State. Clearly this premium quality Choice AU represents a fleeting bidding opportunity for the quality conscious double eagle enthusiast.
