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The Certified U.S. Gold $20 Liberty 1874-S AU53 NGC is a notable and desirable example of Western U.S. gold coinage from the mid-19th century, representing a period of national growth and post-Civil War economic expansion. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this Double Eagle—graded About Uncirculated 53 by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company)—exhibits light wear on the high points while retaining a strong strike, substantial detail, and residual luster. As a Type II Liberty Head $20 gold piece, the 1874-S issue holds particular historical and numismatic interest due to its relatively low survival rate in higher circulated grades and its connection to the continued significance of the gold-rich American West.
The obverse of the 1874-S Double Eagle features the enduring Liberty design by James B. Longacre. Lady Liberty faces left, her hair secured in a bun with curling locks, wearing a coronet bearing the word “LIBERTY.” Encircling her portrait are thirteen stars, symbolizing the original colonies, and the date “1874” is struck clearly at the bottom. In AU53 condition, the coin retains much of the original sharpness in Liberty’s facial features, coronet, and hair detail, though minor rub is evident on the cheek and highest points. The surfaces may show light handling marks from circulation, but overall presentation remains appealing, and luster is often visible in protected areas near the devices and around the rims.
The reverse showcases a robust heraldic eagle with a striped shield on its breast, clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left. Above the eagle is a scroll bearing the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” which had been added to the Double Eagle design starting in 1866. The surrounding legend reads “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TWENTY D.,” with the “S” mintmark directly below the eagle’s tail feathers, identifying San Francisco as the issuing mint. Even in AU53, the reverse design remains crisp, with clear feather lines, a well-defined shield, and full legibility across all inscriptions.
Like all Liberty Head Double Eagles, the 1874-S is composed of 90% gold and 10% copper, weighs 33.44 grams, and has a diameter of 34 millimeters. These large gold coins—introduced in 1850 in response to the California Gold Rush—were intended for high-value transactions and international trade. By the 1870s, the San Francisco Mint had established itself as one of the most critical branches of the U.S. Mint system, producing vast quantities of gold coinage drawn from California and Nevada mines. The Double Eagles minted there were often exported, heavily circulated, or melted over time, reducing the number of well-preserved examples available to modern collectors.
The reported mintage for the 1874-S $20 Liberty was 1,214,000 pieces, a relatively high figure for the era. However, high original mintage does not necessarily translate to widespread availability today. The majority of these coins saw extensive use in commerce and banking or were lost to the melting pot during later gold recalls and recoinage efforts. NGC population reports indicate that AU53 examples are scarcer than their AU50 or AU Details counterparts and that Mint State examples are rare and expensive, making this AU53 coin a strong candidate for those seeking a well-preserved yet affordable 19th-century Double Eagle.
The AU53 grade is assigned to coins that exhibit light wear on the highest points of the design, with complete rims and sharp major detail. Most of the original luster is gone from the open fields, but it often remains in recessed areas. A coin at this level will show some contact marks or abrasions typical of limited circulation but will remain visually attractive and well-struck. In the case of the 1874-S, the strong dies and quality control of the San Francisco Mint typically yield coins with clear detail and above-average surface quality for their grade.
Visually, AU53 examples of this issue often display pleasing coloration, ranging from soft yellow gold to deeper orange or rose tones, depending on storage and alloy variations. San Francisco Double Eagles from this period are known for their bold strikes and consistent quality, and the 1874-S is no exception. Cartwheel luster may still be visible under angled light, and the coin’s overall appearance, while showing modest circulation, retains the grandeur and heft characteristic of the denomination.
Historically, the year 1874 marked the continued Reconstruction of the United States and the rapid economic development of the West. San Francisco, strategically located to serve Pacific commerce and close to the gold fields of California and Nevada, produced much of the nation’s gold coinage. The Liberty Head design, in use from 1850 through 1907, symbolized financial stability, trust, and the enduring ideals of the Republic. The Double Eagle, in particular, became a key instrument in global commerce, often sent abroad to settle debts or serve as reserves, underscoring the international role of U.S. coinage in the 19th century.
Today, the Certified U.S. Gold $20 Liberty 1874-S AU53 NGC appeals to collectors of U.S. gold coinage, Western mint issues, and those assembling date-and-mintmark sets of the Double Eagle series. It strikes an ideal balance between affordability and condition—offering strong detail and aesthetic appeal without the premium attached to higher AU or Mint State examples. As a San Francisco-minted Type II Double Eagle, it represents both a monetary relic and a historical artifact from a formative era in American economic and numismatic history.