We have gone through several entries in Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest United States Coins. Our blog series has covered nearly half of the top 100 picks from the fourth edition, but this next coin has been described differently than all the rest so far. Author Jeff Garrett is at the wheel as we journey through this rare and outstanding entry together.
#31 – 1854-S Presentation-Strike Liberty Head Double Eagle
While doing numismatic research at the Smithsonian Institution, author Jeff Garrett had the privilege of being able to comb through the trays in the cabinet of the National Numismatic Collection. Coming across coins from the year 1854, he came face to face with the 1854 double eagle. Garrett classifies the 1854-S as “deeply mirrored.”
The coin was first noticed by Walter Breen and Stuart Mosher (then curator of the collection and editor of The Numismatist) in 1951. According to records, the 1854-S was sent to the Mint Cabinet by Superintendent Lewis A. Birdsall. The Mint Cabinet was then taken to the Smithsonian in 1923. Categorized as a branch mint Proof, the surface is proof-like but does not have the deep, orange-peel appearance that most true Proofs from that era typically exhibit.
Garrett feels as if the coin should be referred to as a presentation strike. This coin was more than likely the first coin struck for the year and was presented to recognize the opening of the San Francisco Mint. Ultimately, it is described as one of the most important double eagles ever struck. Garrett feels that while this coin was overlooked in the first edition of this publication, it will most likely keep climbing in the ranks in future editions.
It is currently housed in the National Numismatic Collection which is in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It is featured in the rare coin exhibit.
In 1960, the historical value of this 1854-S Presentation Strike Liberty Head Double Eagle was $25,000. By this fourth edition (2015), it has risen to $5,000,000.
