Lot 148
148
San Francisco $20 gold with encrustation. Date not visible. Approximately one-third of the obverse and half the reverse are covered with very heavy encrustation. The balance of both sides display frosty light yellow gold lustre and are of choice quality. A long diagonal die line from the upper left curve of the mintmark almost reaches the center of W. This may provide enough detail to determine the reverse die variety, and possibly the date.
Treasure Display Double Eagle
San Francisco $20 gold with encrustation. Date not visible. Approximately one-third of the obverse and half the reverse are covered with very heavy encrustation. The balance of both sides display frosty light yellow gold lustre and are of choice quality. A long diagonal die line from the upper left curve of the mintmark almost reaches the center of W. This may provide enough detail to determine the reverse die variety, and possibly the date.

Details
San Francisco $20 gold with encrustation. Date not visible. Approximately one-third of the obverse and half the reverse are covered with very heavy encrustation. The balance of both sides display frosty light yellow gold lustre and are of choice quality. A long diagonal die line from the upper left curve of the mintmark almost reaches the center of W. This may provide enough detail to determine the reverse die variety, and possibly the date.
While the choice, gem, and other numismatic delicacies in the present sale will play to a wide numismatic audience, a coin such as this offers the element of original encrustation as found a mile and a half below the sea-precisely as it appeared for many years among starfish, a Greenland shark or two, and other denizens of the briny deep. We can envision this coin plus some illustrative material would form a display that would be very exciting for a numismatic or historical museum.