1853 Assay 900 Gold $20

The 1853 $20 U.S. Assay Office piece represents a fascinating chapter in American numismatic history, minted during the height of the California Gold Rush when privately produced coins helped address the critical shortage of circulating currency. These transitional pieces were produced before the establishment of the San Francisco Mint and served as a crucial bridge between private and federal coinage.

This exquisite CAC-approved MS63 example showcases rich, warm luster that radiates across both sides of the coin. The surfaces display minimal marks for the grade, with a razor sharp strike and super clean fields . The distinctive engine-turned pattern on the reverse remains crisp and well-defined, with the central inscription standing out boldly against the intricate background. All details of the eagle are clearly rendered on the obverse. A superior example of this historic Gold Rush-era issue that combines historical significance with impressive aesthetics.