1874 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS).,A boldly struck Type II Liberty Head twenty with fully lustrous, golden yellow surfaces. The global financial depression that resulted from the Panic of 1873 continued to have significant impacts on the output of large denomination gold coins, especially in the East. The Philadelphia Mints output of double eagles dropped dramatically from the previous year down to a much smaller mintage figure of 366,780 pieces. As the sell off of American holdings in Europe continued into 1874, double eagles were the preferred medium to pay these obligations and many thousands of the denomination began their overseas sojourn. Not all were given the same treatment: the double eagles that ended up in the United Kingdom generally ended up in the Royal Mints melting pots for recoinage, while those in France and Switzerland were bagged, counted, moved around, counted some more, and moved around even more, leaving them scuffed and abraded. A few thousand pieces are known today with maybe five or so percent in Mint State. An underrated date, this is an issue that presents quite a challenge to those seeking quality and solid eye appeal.,,