1859-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS).Highly significant Mint State quality for this scarcer and more conditionally challenging issue among early date San Francisco Mint double eagles. Warm medium gold patina blankets surfaces that also sport full mint luster and a bold to sharp strike. Subtle pinkish-rose highlights flash into view at direct lighting angles, further enhancing this coins already attractive appearance. The mintage for this elusive issue is 636,445 pieces, more than 210,000 coins fewer than reported for the 1858-S. Face value equaled $16,934,200. Perhaps 35 to 50 different Mint State examples of the 1859-S can be accounted for today. The high grade rarity of this issue is nearly unknown outside of the field of specialized double eagle collectors for the 1859-S has not been represented in any significant hoards, either shipwreck treasures or repatriations from foreign holdings. While the <em>S.S. Republic</em>c did yield 67 1859-S double eagles, only one of those coins has been designated as Mint State. This richly original example represents a fleeting bidding opportunity for the astute gold collector.PCGS Population: 25; 16 finer (MS-63 finest).From the Fairmont Collection.
