1863-S $20 Gold Coin

mountainplayer · Dec 4, 2007

Hi All,

I did not find this coin (sniff, sniff). :'(

It was found by my co-workers mom while digging bottles. The coin was inside of a leather pouch, which accounts for its excellent condition. The story goes that her husband was leaning against a tree taking a break, and drinking a beer, when it popped out of the ground. He took one look, and proceeded to dig up the rest of the hill.

I looked at PCGS and my heart almost stopped when I saw the values. They provide a photo of this coin in MS-61 condition, and I swear, my friends' coin looks to be in far better shape.

I'm asking for your help in approximating a grade and value. I am a newbie at this and would really appreciate your opinions.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. The photos are the best my camera can do, even on macro.

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Update:
When I posted this, I forgot to mention that the designer initials(?) are crisp and clearly visible at the base of Liberty's neck. Might be tough to see in these photos, but it jumped right out at me when I first saw the coin.
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MP

Nana40 · Dec 4, 2007

Good gosh what a find!

How exciting for your friends! 8) Tell them congrats and thanks for sharing that story!

Nana

Bobbert · Dec 5, 2007

Oh Lord that so beautiful. Thank you for showing it to us. Only in my dreams will I ever find something like that.

WTG, Bob

vegasmtl · Dec 5, 2007

That is just incredible! Awesome find, thanks for sharing the pictures. I agree though, DON'T REMOVE THE BEZEL YOURSELF!, AND WEAR COTTON GLOVES--AND A FACE MASK! Seriously, breathing on the coin can deposit moisture that could then attract dirt, that could scratch, etc....

I also don't know what I would do with it. I would hate to keep it in the house due to theft/fire/3 year olds, but I would hate to have it out of sight too!

The only think I don't like about slabbing, is that the coin loses that "feel".

Tell your friends congrats and they have caused many a keyboard to short out due to the drool!!

vegasmtl

grogmug · Dec 5, 2007

I don't understand how it popped out of the ground if he was leaning against a tree? Were you digging bottles in the woods, outhouse, field, etc

I want to know the details!!!!
NICE FIND MAN!
JT

Derek752 · Dec 5, 2007

I WANT A $20 GOLD COIN !!! :'(

BEAUTIFUL !!!

JerV3 · Dec 5, 2007

Man is that coin awesome.

I'd put that puppy right on my chain and wear it.

HH Jer

Admiral de Salee · Dec 5, 2007

I would do all of the good advice that's been offered here on carefultude and bezel removal and slabbing.

Then, after taking lots of pictures for keepsakes, I'd go over to see James Abbott in Birmingham, MI and SELL THAT BAD BWAH IN A HEARTBEAT!!
(meaning put it up for auction)

Spectacular!

Brendan M. · Dec 5, 2007

What else can I say? It's amazing. I'd trade all the silver in the world for a find like that.

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Bman

mountainplayer · Dec 5, 2007

Thanks to everyone who replied to this post with great tips and help in approximating a grade. I know its not easy from a photo.

BDoo-Bummer that the lead didn't pan out, but its only a matter of time if you keep producing the goods at the rate you did this last year (my first year "on board").

RockyRedBaron- I had to ask my friend if this coin was truly a dug coin. I didn't expect it to be in the kind of shape its in. She confirmed that it was dug. It was in some type of change purse...I assume leather?

Oldhippie - Nice the make your acquaintance. With your knowledge of the history of your area, you're already on the right track. Now its just a matter of putting in the time. Good luck and I'll watch out for your posts.

grogmug - The only details I have is this: My friends mom and dad were avid bottle diggers (they have one heck of a collection, I'm told). They were digging a site on the side of a hill (sounds odd for a privvy, doesn't it?). Her dad decided to take a break, and was leaning against a tree sipping a beer. Her mom was still digging. When they realized what she'd found, they "dug the he-- out of the entire hill".

JerDFX - You'd wear this thing on a chain

Are you nuts??

Just kidding...that's exactly what they've done. In fact, my friend wore the thing to the office, and even after I showed her the page from pcgs, she wore it home!!! I'm still worried about it.....

Sorry for my laziness in not sending a personal shout out to each of you. I value all of your input, I'm just running short on time and have a "date" with a Caesar salad.

MP