1873-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Close 3. MS-62 (PCGS).This is a wholly original rose-gold example with full mint frost to both sides. All but a few isolated features are sharply defined, and the surfaces are uncommonly smooth for a survivor of this conditionally challenging issue. The mintage of this variety comprised the larger part of 1,040,060 pieces for the 1873-S double eagle. These coins circulated extensively in commerce on the West Coast and, after having seen some use, were also used in the export trade (this at a time when gold coins did not circulate in the East or Midwest, a period that extended until December 1878). It seems that many 1873-S double eagles were exported to South America, probably around the turn of the 20th century. Information concerning specific overseas hoards is very difficult to find as the banks and governments involved prefer secrecy.<p>We estimate that 300 to 400 Mint State examples survive for the 1873-S Close 3. Most are in the lowest grades, MS-60 or MS-61. Virtually all are coins repatriated after World War Two. Before the 1960s, Mint State 1873-S double eagles were very rare in numismatic hands. Indeed, it was not until the 1990s that they were seen with some frequency, although MS-62 examples such as that offered here remain scarce from a condition standpoint.PCGS Population: 44; 9 finer (MS-63 finest).From the Fairmont Collection.
