The typical 1858 $20 double eagle displays an average strike, sometimes exhibiting softness on the most prominent regions of each side. The complexion ranges from lustrous to partially prooflike, though usually with heavy bagmarks. A condition rarity, the 1858 $20 is only moderately scarce in circulated condition, becoming progressively more scant up through Choice AU. Populations dwindle significantly in Mint State, where just two to three dozen examples are thought to exist. The majority of these Philadelphia coins are limited to lower Mint State grades, with a single MS-64 (PCGS) ranking as finest known. Three Proof coins are known; two of which are in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, and the other is under the custodianship of the America Numismatic Society.

We wrote the following in our April 2022 Auction Catalog, saying: "The mintage for this issue was just 211,714 pieces, down more than 227,000 pieces from the previous year's tally at the Philadelphia Mint. Perhaps only 25 to 35 or so different examples of the date can be considered Mint State by today's grading standards, with the typical grade just MS-60 or marginally finer."

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in April 2022 as part of the Fairmont Collection, Hendricks Set, where it realized $60,000.