LIBERTY
HEAD (NO MOTTO ON REVERSE) TWENTY DOLLARS OR DOUBLE EAGLE
(1849-1866)
1858 Double Eagle
1858
Double Eagle or $20 Gold
PCGS
No:
8923
Circulation
strikes Mintage:
211,714
Proofs:
Estimated 10
Designer:
James Barton
Longacre
Diameter:
±34
millimeters
Metal
content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%
Weight:
±516
grains (±33.4 grams)
Edge:
Reeded
Mintmark:
None (for Philadelphia,
PA) below the eagle's tail on the reverse.
Introduction:
The 1858 double eagle is a condition rarity. Low-grade
examples are scarce but can be found without too much
difficulty. Most of the coins offered at auction are
graded AU-55 or AU-58. A small number of examples
were found on the 5.5. Republic, three of which are
on the low end of the Mint State scale. A few have
been certified as MS-63, but these are very rare and
in great demand. One of the finest known examples
sold at public auction in recent years is the Harry
W. Bass Jr. specimen that had been certified as MS-63
by PCGS. The coin sold for $29,900 in the 2000 sale
of his estate. The Smithsonian lacks a circulation-strike
example of the 1858 double eagle. Early collectors
preferred Proof examples of Philadelphia coinage.
Key to Collecting:
In circulated grades from VF to EF the 1858 is scarce,
but enough are around that even a nice AU can be obtained
with a bit of patience. Mint State coins are very
elusive and are mostly in the lower numerical designations.
Aspects of Striking: Mostly well struck.
Surfaces range from lustrous to partially prooflike.
Die Data: 1858 four-digit
date logotype with 18 closer than the spacing for
other figures. Lower left serif of 1 slightly longer
than lower right sent; top interior of 8's slightly
smaller than bottom interior; upright of 5 slants
slightly to right; 2nd 8 slightly low and leans slightly
right. Used on all dies for all mints. Multiple die
pairs were used and thus varieties exist. Misplaced
Date: One variety has a misplaced date, with
the curved top of an 8 hidden in the dentils below
the 5."
Number of Appearances:
86 (19%)
High Grade Condition Points: 39
Average Grade: EF-40
Auction Records:
(2) Proof: MC 1948; WGC 1946
(10) Unc:
Stack's 9/81; New England 7/78; ANA 1976; RARCOA 5/73;
Stack's 2/73, 10/70; DiBello 1970; Miles 1968; Bell
1963; Atwater 1946
(19) AU:
Stack's 12/81; New England 1/80; Stack's 6/79; New
England 3/79; Ivy 2/79; Stack's 2/79; New England
11/78, 7/77; ANA 1976 (2); Gilhousen 1973; Stack's
2/72; Kreisberg/Cohen 9/71; ANA 1969; Stack's 3/69,
5/68; Bolt 1966; Stack's 2/65; Holmes 1960
(35) EF:
Stack's 12/81; Coin Galleries 9/81; Stack's 2/80,
12/79; Kreisberg/Cohen 10/79; Stack's 9/79 (2); Superior
10/78; Kagin's 9/78; Stack's 6/78, 6/77; Kreisberg/Cohen
2/15-16/77; Ivy 12/76; ANA 1975; RARCOA 4/75; Superior
2/75; Paramount 11/74; Superior 10/74; ANA 1974; Pine
Tree 3/74; Scanlon 1973; Stack's 12/72; RARCOA 2/72;
ANA 1971; Stack's 4/71, 6/70; Paramount 11/69; Shuford
1968; Paramount 10/67, 4/67, 11/66; Kosoff 10/65;
Baldenhofer 1955; Bell 1944; Roach 1944
Comments: The 1858 Double Eagle is very scarce and
desirable in all grades. In terms of overall rarity
it is roughly comparable to the 1855, 1856, 1857,
1863 and 1864 among Type I P-Mint issues. Most known
specimens grade from VF to AU and strictly uncirculated
examples are rare. Choice or gem quality uncs are
very rare but not unknown; I have seen several of
each quality. This is the first date of which proofs
were definitely made for collectors. Three proofs
exist, two of which are impounded in the Smithsonian
and ANS collections respectively. {The proof in the
Smithsonian is photographed above.) The third is the
Memorable — World's Greatest Collection specimen
listed in the following auction records. It earlier
appeared in the famous Parmelee sale of 1890.
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.
