1865 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS64+ (CAC)

1865 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS64+ (CAC)
PCGS # 8943
Grading Service PCGS
Grade MS64+
Mint Location Philadelphia
Year 1865
Designation
Strike Business
Grade Add On CAC
1865 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS64+ (CAC)
1865 $20
SKU: 53055813
A Civil War–era rarity with elite eye appeal and pedigree, this 1865 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle from the Philadelphia Mint is certified PCGS MS64+ and approved by CAC, placing it among the finest survivors of the final Type One issue struck at Philadelphia. Its dominant surface color is a bright, vibrant gold with a reflective, almost mirrored sheen that amplifies the coin’s already impressive eye appeal—exactly the look advanced collectors prize in premium Mint State Type One double eagles.
Highlights and rarity
Grade: PCGS MS64+; CAC approved for premium quality
Population: PCGS Pop 3 in MS64+ with only 2 graded higher
PCGS reference: Coin #351175
Pedigree: D. L. Hansen Collection
Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark); final Type One year for this mint
Registry quality: Among the top certified examples available to collectors
Historical significance
Final-year Type One (No Motto) Liberty Head Double Eagle, struck in 1865—an iconic end-of-war issue that bridges the Civil War and Reconstruction.
While the date is more available than 1862–1864, truly high-grade pieces have long been elusive; many of today’s Uncirculated survivors trace to shipwreck finds from the S.S. Republic, though non-shipwreck coins like this show distinct strike and surface characteristics prized by specialists.
Strike and eye appeal
Type diagnostics for 1865 include: slightly softer definition in Liberty’s hair curls, sharp star points with full radial lines, and typically minor softness at the reverse wing tips and tail feathers. Some dies exhibit a fine network of cracks connecting tops of the lettering—an engaging die-state feature for variety enthusiasts.
This MS64+ example offers above-average detail for the issue and a bright, reflective golden luster that floods the fields, delivering standout visual pop under light—precisely the kind of surface quality that earns CAC approval.
Why collectors want it
Coveted “No Motto” Type One design by James B. Longacre, with TWENTY D. denomination—an essential type coin and a key 1860s Philadelphia date.
CAC endorsement, a trophy pedigree from the D. L. Hansen Collection, and razor-thin population figures make this a blue-chip addition to an advanced type set, Civil War gold cabinet, or PCGS Registry set.
Specifications
Denomination: $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle (Type One, 1850–1866; No Motto)
Year/Mint: 1865, Philadelphia (no mintmark)
Composition: .900 fine gold, .100 copper; AGW 0.9675 troy oz
Diameter: 34 mm; Edge: Reeded
Designer: James B. Longacre
An exceptional blend of rarity, grade, CAC-approved quality, and historic appeal, this 1865 PCGS MS64+ Double Eagle is a top-tier opportunity for discerning collectors seeking a final-year Type One with superior luster, pedigree, and market stature. Secure this standout Philadelphia double eagle today.