Sale 46: The Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Collection

Lot 1231

1861-S $20 Liberty. Paquet Reverse. PCGS graded VF-35. At the beginning of 1861, not only was transcontinental rail incomplete, but not even transcontinental telegraph lines were established. When the Philadelphia Mint discovered problems with the Paquet reverse to the double eagle, it sent telegraphs on January 5th to the branch mints in New Orleans and San Francisco. New Orleans was connected directly to Philadelphia by telegraph, and the Southern facility never released any Paquet-reverse twenties.

For the main Mint's message to reach San Francisco, however, it had to go to the western telegraph terminus at St. Joseph in extreme western Missouri, whereupon it was sent along with other mail via mounted courier--the legendary Pony Express. The message did not reach San Francisco Mint Superintendent Charles Hempstead until February 2nd, and he was forced to reply that he had struck and released a number of Paquet twenties. In his words, "The amount issued was $385,000." This translates to 19,250 pieces.

The Paquet twenties experienced considerable wear, and only a relative handful survive today. (PCGS Pop. 4 in VF-35, a total of 72 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000.

Realized: $45,000

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Lot 1232

1862 $20 Liberty. Details of Very Fine. Cleaned. Mintage 92,133.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,200

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Lot 1233

1862 $20 Liberty. PCGS graded (Genuine, Filed Rims), Details of Extremely Fine. Mintage 92,133.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $6,500

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Lot 1234

1862-S $20 Liberty. Very Fine. Trivial rim nick on obverse. Mintage 854,173.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,100

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Lot 1235

1863 $20 Liberty. Details of Very Fine. Cleaned. Mintage 142,790.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,400

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Lot 1236

1863-S $20 Liberty. Very Fine. Mintage 966,570.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,400

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Lot 1237

1864 $20 Liberty, Partially Rotated Reverse Variety. Details of Very Fine & unusual. Lightly cleaned. Mintage 204,235.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,100

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Lot 1238

1864-S $20 Liberty. About Uncirculated. Frosty surfaces. Mintage 793,660.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

Realized: $3,000

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Lot 1239

1864-S $20 Liberty. Very Fine. Mintage 793,660.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,400

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Lot 1240

1865 $20 Liberty. Details of Very Fine. Cleaned. Mintage 351,175.
Estimate $1,250 - 1,500.

Realized: $1,600

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