1850-O $20 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-53. This is the closed 5, heavy date variety. Delightful luster still resides near the devices, and the surfaces are quite free of heavy bagmarks or other problems. Liberty's cheek and face show only minimal signs of contact, unlike the usual train wrecks we see in lower grades. Although 141,000 were minted, most were melted or have otherwise disappeared. PCGS, in their years of grading, have only certified 147 pieces (January 2000 Population Report) none of which, we repeat none of which have been graded in full mint state. Only 7 coins have been graded this high, with 10 coins graded higher in AU by that service. Breen notes that there were "5 uncs in the Baltimore Hoard", which apparently by today's standards are no longer "uncirculated". The Baltimore hoard is the primary source of Type I double eagles (until the recent sales of the S.S. Central America coins) and other gold denominations. Two boys found a copper receptacle in the cellar of 132 South Eden Street, Baltimore on August 31, 1934, after a brief court hearing, the treasure inside was awarded to the finders, Theodore Jones and Henry Grob, and was sold by auction on May 2, 1935. The treasure contained 317 double eagles, 92 of them dated 1850, only one 1856-O, 81 eagles, 257 half eagles, 78 quarter eagles and 2,903 gold dollars. Most were EF to Unc, and all dated 1834 to 1856. One of really scarce dates to find in high grade, this coin will elicit spirited bidding when it crosses the block.
