1849 Coronet Head Gold $20 Double Eagle: Unique - Smithsonian Collection 

The 1849 Coronet Head Gold $20 Double Eagle holds a special place in numismatic history as a unique and revered coin. Designed by James B. Longacre, the Coronet Head Double Eagle features a depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with the word "LIBERTY" on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. 

What sets the 1849 Coronet Head Double Eagle apart is its status as the only known specimen of its kind. While the United States Mint did produce Double Eagles in 1849 

including the Liberty Head design with a different coronet, only one example of the Coronet Head variety has ever been discovered. This solitary coin resides in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The uniqueness of the 1849 Coronet Head Double Eagle makes it a numismatic marvel, capturing the attention and admiration of collectors and historians alike.  

As a prized possession of the Smithsonian Collection, the 1849 Coronet Head Double Eagle serves as a tangible link to the early days of American coinage and stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and artistry of the minters who created it.  

American coinage and stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and artistry of the minters who created it. Its rarity and historical significance ensure its place as a cherished artifact in the realm of numismatics for generations to come. 

Beyond its status as a numismatic treasure, the 1849 Coronet Head Double Eagle embodies the spirit of the California Gold Rush era, a pivotal period in American history. 

Struck during a time when the nation was experiencing a surge of westward expansion and economic transformation, this coin represents the aspirations and dreams of countless individuals who ventured to the gold fields in search of fortune. 

The story of the 1849 Coronet Head Double Eagle is shrouded in mystery and speculation. How did this singular specimen manage to survive while others of its kind were lost to time? Was it a presentation piece, a pattern coin, or perhaps a clandestine creation by a mint employee?  

In the mid-20th century, the clandestine appearance of some 1933 Double Eagles sparked legal disputes and investigations. One notable case involved the United States Secret Service tracking down and seizing ten of these coins from a British coin dealer, Stephen Fenton, in 1996.  

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