2019

1853 Moffat & Co. $20 Gold. Kagin-19. Rarity-5+. Reeded Edge. AU-58 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Pioneer Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:22,500.00 - 30,000.00 USD
1853 Moffat & Co. $20 Gold. Kagin-19. Rarity-5+. Reeded Edge. AU-58 PCGS.
SOLD
21,000.00USDto t*****3+ buyer's premium (3,675.00)
This item SOLD at 2017 Sep 15 @ 22:52UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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An exemplary example of an issue designed remarkably like the federal double eagles of the era. The deep golden surfaces are awash with bold cartwheel activity and varied orange-gold iridescent highlights throughout. Marks are minimal and consist chiefly of pocket-change hairlines – it won’t be an easy task to nitpick a blemish on this attractive private-issue double eagle.
Listed here as a part of the Moffat & Co. coinage, this issue was actually struck while Moffat was under contract with the United States Assay Office (hence the K-19 attribution as the last USAOG issue). In fact this was an emergency issue of just 75,636 struck between July-October 1853 to conform with the 1837 federal law stipulating that all U.S. gold coinage had to be 900 fine gold.
When the USAOG was closed (to allow for the new U.S. Mint) the reverse die for this coin was obtained by Kellogg & Co. and used for their 1854 $20s (see next lot).
A Condition Census example of the variety, and rightfully so. Formerly housed in an NGC holder (1949576-005 – tag included) where it was also called AU-58 – in any holder, this piece would come out time and again in the same high AU grade range as offered here. Undeniably choice at every twist of the holder, and certain to make a triumphant appearance at bidding time.
PCGS Population: 4; 3 finer (MS-62 finest).