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Millions of dollars’ worth of the 1853 900-Thousandths $20s were struck by the United States Assay Office, making these double eagles the most commonly encountered pioneer gold issue. Between 500 and 600 examples are known today, with somewhere around ten grading MS65 or MS66. 17 Kagin-18 $20s were recovered from the S.S. Central America. So-called “Prooflike Assay $20” forgeries were marketed by John J. Ford in the 1960s. These were initially exposed in the 1960s by numismatist Eric P. Newman, and the coin from which their dies were copied was identified in 2006 by David J. McCarthy.
Obverse Description
Eagle clutching shield and ribbon UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 900 THOUS TWENTY D.
Reverse Description
Engine turning UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA. 1853.
Book Reference
Millions of dollars’ worth of the 900 THOUS. 1853 double eagles were struck by the US Assay Office, making these the most commonly encountered pioneer gold $20 issue. Between 500 and 600 examples are known today, with somewhere around 10 grading MS-65 or MS-66. Seventeen K-18 $20 coins were recovered from the SS Central America. So-called “Prooflike Assay $20” forgeries were marketed by John J. Ford in the 1960’s. These were soon exposed by numismatist Eric P. Newman, and the coin from which their dies were copied was
A “Prooflike Assay $20” forgery showing identified in 2006 by David J. McCarthy.prominent repeating depressions.
Obverse: Eagle clutching shield and rib.bon inscribed. LIBERTY., with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TWENTY D 900 THOUS
Reverse: Engine-turned pattern with a tablet reading U.NITE.D STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA 1853
Catalog Information
GSID:
11696
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 900 THOUS TWENTY D.
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES ASSAY OFFICE OF GOLD SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA. 1853.
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Variety:
U.S. Assay Office
Variety 2:
TWENTY D., 900 THOUS, K-18
Coin Date:
1853
Denomination:
G$20
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
California
Mintage:
500–600 known
Coinage Type:
Private & Pioneer Gold
Coinage Years:
1852-1853
Composition:
Gold
Rarity:
2
PCGS #:
10013
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1853-united-states-assay-office-twenty-dollar-900-thous-territorial-gold-coinage/gsid/11696 GSID: 11696 Title: 1853 G$20 U.S. Assay Office, TWENTY D., 900 THOUS, K-18 MS
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Coin Value History
1853 G$20 U.S. Assay Office, TWENTY D., 900 THOUS, K-18 MS
Value By Grade
1853 G$20 U.S. Assay Office, TWENTY D., 900 THOUS, K-18 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS65 |
|
$86,500 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $72,000 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1852 G$10 U.S. Assay Office, First Reverse, K-12 MS
Worth: $6,325 – $44,000
1852 G$10 U.S. Assay Office, Second Reverse, K-12a MS
Worth: $5,750 – $48,000
1852 G$50 U.S. Assay Office, 887 THOUS, K-13 MS
Worth: $18,000 – $180,000
1852 G$50 U.S. Assay Office, 900 THOUS, K-14 MS
Worth: $24,000 – $690,000
1853 G$10 U.S. Assay Office, TEN D., 884 THOUS, K-15 MS
Worth: $22,500 – $81,600
1853 G$10 U.S. Assay Office, TEN D., 900 THOUS, K-16 MS
Worth: $7,500 – $54,000
1853 G$20 U.S. Assay Office, TWENTY D., 884 THOUS, K-17 MS
Worth: $14,000 – $156,000
1853 G$20 U.S. Assay Office, TWENTY D., 900 THOUS, K-18 PR
Worth: $150,000 – $150,000
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. XF45 PCGS. K-18, R.2. ...
$9,760
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU53 PCGS. K-18, R.2. ...
$10,675
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU58 NGC. K-18, R.2....
$10,800
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU55 PCGS. K-18, R.2....
$11,700
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. VF35 PCGS. K-18, R.2....
$8,400
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU50 PCGS. K-18, R.2....
$9,000
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS62 NGC. K-18, R.2....
$15,600
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS61 NGC. K-18, R.2....
$12,600
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS63 PCGS. CAC. K-18, R.2. ...
$22,800
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. VF30 PCGS. K-18, R.2. ...
$6,300
1853 $20 Assay Office, 900 Thous. MS64+ PCGS. CAC. K-18, R.2. ...
$45,600
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS65 NGC. K-18, R.2. ...
$52,800
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. -- Rims Filed, Improperly Cleaned -- NCS Details. Unc. K-18, R.2. ...
$4,406
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. -- Filed Rims -- Genuine PCGS. K-18, R.2. ...
$3,220
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous.--Damaged--NCS. XF Details. ...
$2,070
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. VF20 PCGS. ...
$3,450
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous.--Damaged, Bent, Cleaned--ANACS. VF Details. Net Fine 12....
$1,380
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. XF45 PCGS. K-18, R.2....
$7,500
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU53 NGC. K-18, R.2....
$7,800
1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. AU58 NGC. CAC. K-18, R.2....
$13,213
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