1866-S $20 Motto (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS62+

PCGS MS62+

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PCGS MS62+

PCGS MS62+

PCGS MS62+

PCGS MS62+

PCGS #:
8950
Designer:
James Barton Longacre
Edge:
Reeded
Diameter:
34.00 millimeters
Weight:
33.40 grams
Mintage:
830,250
Mint:
San Francisco
Metal:
90% Gold, 10% Copper
Major Varieties

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
Current Auctions - NGC Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades Survival
Estimate
Numismatic
Rarity
Relative Rarity
By Type
Relative Rarity
By Series
All Grades 3,152 R-4.3 14 / 31 TIE 72 / 148 TIE
60 or Better 45 R-8.6 11 / 31 47 / 148 TIE
65 or Better 0 R-10.1 1 / 31 1 / 148
Survival Estimate
All Grades 3,152
60 or Better 45
65 or Better
Numismatic Rarity
All Grades R-4.3
60 or Better R-8.6
65 or Better R-10.1
Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades 14 / 31 TIE
60 or Better 11 / 31
65 or Better 1 / 31
Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades 72 / 148 TIE
60 or Better 47 / 148 TIE
65 or Better 1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 MS62+ PCGS grade MS62+ PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

2 MS62 PCGS grade MS62 PCGS grade
3 MS62 PCGS grade
3 MS62 PCGS grade
3 MS62 PCGS grade
3 MS62 PCGS grade
3 MS62 PCGS grade
3 MS62 PCGS grade
9 MS61 PCGS grade PCGS #8950 (MS)     61
9 MS61 PCGS grade PCGS #8950 (MS)     61
MS62+ PCGS grade #1 MS62+ PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

MS62 PCGS grade #2 MS62 PCGS grade
#3 MS62 PCGS grade
#3 MS62 PCGS grade
#3 MS62 PCGS grade
#3 MS62 PCGS grade
#3 MS62 PCGS grade
#3 MS62 PCGS grade
PCGS #8950 (MS)     61 #9 MS61 PCGS grade
PCGS #8950 (MS)     61 #9 MS61 PCGS grade
David Akers (1975/88): Although not as rare as the 1866-S No Motto, the 1866-S Motto still ranks as one of the rarest S-Mint issues, on a par overall with the 1860-S, 1861-S, 1862-S, 1864-S, 1867-S and 1868-S. With respect to condition rarity, the 1866-S Motto is in the top 10% of the entire Double Eagle series. Compared to all 204 $20 issues and not just those from the San Francisco Mint, the 1866-S Motto still fares well in terms of overall rarity ranking in the top fifth of the series. Almost all known examples of this date are in the VF and EF grades and a full AU is definitely rare. I have seen two uncirculated examples, the finest being the coin from the Harry Bass collection.
Ron Guth:

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained several examples of the 1866-S With Motto $20, most of which were not ungradeable due to cleaning. However, the nicest coin, a PCGS MS62+, ranks as the finest example known of this date.