1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS62 NGC. K-18, R.2.

1853 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, MS62 900 Thous., K-18 1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS62 NGC. K-18, R.2. Production at the San Francisco Assay Office evolved over its four-year life. The initial output was unwieldy octagonal slugs with nonstandard fineness and legends partially punched in by hand. The final issue, the K-18 1853 900 Thous. twenty dollar, was far closer to a U.S. Mint coin; round with a fully hubbed design and standard fineness. K-18 had a mintage in the millions, but most pieces were melted once the San Francisco Mint was up to speed. Nice Mint State examples are scarce. The present green-gold representative displays satin luster and attractive surfaces. The obverse rim displays minor marks at 9:30 and a pair of slight bumps at 3 o'clock and 3:30. Encapsulated in a prior generation holder. Listed on page 414 of the 2025 Guide Book.