1851 State of California Twenty Dollar - Silver

Coin Details

Description

This silver striking from 1851 State of California twenty-dollar dies reproduces a double eagle denomination design in precious but non-gold metal. The existence of a twenty-dollar denomination in the State of California series is significant: if gold double eagles were actually produced, they would represent the largest denomination in the state coinage program. The silver medium gives this piece substantial heft and a dignified appearance, though it immediately identifies the piece as something other than the gold original. Silver strikings of California territorial dies occupy a middle ground between gold originals and base-metal copies. For the State of California twenty-dollar denomination, where gold originals are virtually unobtainable, the silver striking may be the most important surviving record of this die design. Whether gold State of California double eagles were actually struck for circulation is debated among territorial gold specialists. The state coinage program already faced criticism for underweight quarter eagles and eagles, and producing an underweight twenty-dollar coin would have compounded the political damage exponentially. The silver striking may represent a trial piece from a denomination that was considered but never fully implemented in gold.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Silver strikings of the State of California $20 dies are known in extremely small numbers, unique or nearly so.

Cross References

Kagin reference series. State of California $20, silver striking.