LIBERTY
HEAD (NO MOTTO ON REVERSE) TWENTY DOLLARS OR DOUBLE EAGLE
(1849-1866)
1858-S Double Eagle
1858-S
Double Eagle or $20 Gold
PCGS
No:
Circulation
strikes Mintage:
846,710
Proofs:
0
Designer:
James Barton
Longacre
Diameter:
±34
millimeters
Metal
content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%
Weight:
±516
grains (±33.4 grams)
Edge:
Reeded
Mintmark:
"O"
(for New Orleans, LA) below the eagle's tail on
the reverse.
Introduction:
Although there were obviously no examples of the 1858-S
double eagle aboard the S.S. Central America, there
were 68 examples found on the S.S. Republic. Most
were in About Uncirculated condition, with just a
few at the lower end of the Mint State scale. Not
surprisingly, most of the 1858-S double eagles seen
are low grade and heavily abraded, as the issue saw
heavy commercial use. Very few examples were saved,
and in Mint State this issue is very rare. A PCGS
MS-63 coin sold privately in the summer of 2005 for
$55,000.
Key to Collecting:
The 1858-S double eagle is readily available in circulated
grades such as VF ana EF, but is rare AU, especially
if with good eye appeal. Mint State coins are rarities
and mostly congregate at or near the MS-60 designation.
Aspects of Striking:
Usually well struck.
Die Data: Standard
four-digit logotype punch for this year. Twelve obverse
dies were provided for this coinage, but some probably
remained unused. The supply of reverse dies on hand
was diminishing, and 6 new reverses were sent from
Philadelphia. Medium S mintimrk (1.3 mm).
Number of Appearances:
126 (28%)
High Grade Condition Points: 52
Average Grade: VF-36
Auction Records:
(13) Unc:
Stack's 9/81; New England 7/80; Kagin's 2/80; Stack's
6/79; Paramount 9/78; New England 7/77; ANA 1976;
ANA 1975; Stack's 6/74; DiBello 1970; Walton 1963;
Wolfson 1962; Holmes 1960
(26) AU:
Kagin's 9/80; Stack's 12/79, 10/79; ANA 1979; Stack's
6/79; Ivy 1/78, 10/77; New England 7/77; Paramount
4/77, 1/77; Stack's 11/76; B&R 10/76; Paramount
5/76; Stack's 4/30/75; AAA 11/74; Paramount 2/74;
ANA 1971; Paramount 11/69; Miles 1968; Kern 1950;
Atwater 1946; Bell 1944; Olsen 1944; Roach 1944; Dunham
1941; Ten Eyck 1922
(37) EF:
Coin Galleries 9/81; Stack's 3/81, 3/80, 2/80(2),
12/79(2); Superior 10/79; Auction 79; New England
3/79; Stack's 2/79; Ivy 4/78, 1/78; Stack's 2/77;
ANA 1976; ANA 1975 (2); Stack's 4/4/75; Pine Tree
2/75; Paramount 11/74; ANA 1974; Scanlon 1973; Kreisberg/Cohen
9/73; Paramount 5/73; Gilhousen 1973; Stack's 2/72;
Shapero 1971; Kreisberg/Cohen 9/71; RARCOA 5/71; Kreisberg/Cohen
11/70; Stack's 6/70: Shuford 1968; Kreisberg4/67;
Golden 1963; Melish 1956; Baldenhofer 1955 (2)
(44) VF:
Kreisberg 9/80; Superior 1/80; NASCA 10/79; Superior
10/79; B&R 2/79 Stack's 5/78, 6/77; AAA 6/76,
9/75; Pine Tree 6/75; Superior 10/74; GEN/ 1974; Stack's
12/73,9/72,6/72; RARCOA 2/72 (2); ANA 1971; Stack's4/71
Alto 1970; Stack's 9/70; Kosoff 2/70; Stack's 1/70;
Kreisberg/Cohen 6/68 Stack's 5/68; Kreisberg 9/67;
Stack's 6/67, 4/67, 2/67; Kreisberg 10/66 Stack's
10/66; Kosoff 10/65; Kreisberg 6/65; Ward 1964; Bell
1963; Goldei 1962; Cicero 1960; Smith 1955; Farouk
1954; Menjou 1950; MC 1948; Le< 1947; WGC 1946;
Flanagan 1944
Comments: In terms of both overall rarity and condition
rarity, the 1858-S Double Eagle is very similar to
the 1855-S, 1857-S, and the 1863-S. Most known specimens
grade VF or EF although AU's are also available periodically.
Strictly uncirculated examples are rare and choice
or gem quality pieces are very rare. I have not seen
any "saltwater uncs" of this date but they
may exist. They would be characterized by subdued,
very uniform lustre and slightly grainy surfaces.
I can recall seeing at least two original gems of
this date and perhaps four or five others in the Unc-60
to Unc-63 grades.
1858
HISTORICAL HIGHTLIGHTS
Washington, D.C.,
Apr. 6. President Buehanan. in demanding
thai Mormons obey federal law. accuses ihem of "levying
war againsl the United Stales" (—June 26). Rosalia, Washington, May 17. U.S.
soldiers suffer a humiliating dcfeal by Nez Perce
and Spokan Indians. Titusville, Pennsylvania, May. Colonel
H.L. Drake begins drilling for oil. using technique
of drivine iron pipe into well (-Aug. 28. 1859). Memphis, Tennessee, June 13. Steamship
Pennsylvania explodes on Mississippi River. killing
160 people. Springfield, Illinois, June 16. Republican
Abraham Lincoln, upon receiving Senate nomina¬tion,
proclaims. "A house divided against itself cannot
stand" (—Oct. 15). Utah Territory. June 26. Colonel
Johnslon's federal Iroops march into Salt Lake City,
finding it mostly empty as Mormons move south. New York City, July 20. Admission
charged to baseball game for first time; New York
All-Slars defeat Brooklyn. Kansas Territory Aug. 2. State constitution
rejected in popular vole. 11.812 to 1.926: Kansas
fails to gain admission to union (-Jan. 29. 1861). Massachusetts, Oct. 16. Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow publishes The Courtship of Miles Siamlish.
narrative poem about romance among Pilgrims. New York City. In his popular The
I'nwi'lfotm'ti Child' or the Crime of an Undesigned
and l!ndesired Maternity. H.C. Wright openly examines
birth control. Washington, D.C. Lewis Mill issued
patent for a lawn mowing machine. Washington, D.C. Charles Weslcy March
receives patent lor bundling harvester. New York City. Steel pens are placed
on the market. New York City. Ladies Christian Association
[YWCA] founded. Haddonfield, New Jersey. First dinosaur
skeleton excavated in L'nited Stales. Brooklyn, New York. Edward R. Squibb
founds pharmaceutical company.
