1880-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS).Beautiful light honey and deep rose colors blend nicely over both sides of this sharply struck and highly lustrous example. 836,000 double eagles, equal to $16,720,000 in face value, were coined at the San Francisco Mint in 1880, eclipsing the Philadelphia Mint production figure by a wide margin. It is likely that large numbers immediately entered the channels of commerce, as gold coins were very popular on the West Coast for day-to-day transactions. Many others may have been kept on hand in Treasury vaults for the redemption of Gold Certificates. Q. David Bowers in his 2004 <em>Guide Book of Double Eagles</em> estimated a population of 200 to 300, or perhaps even more Uncirculated examples. This estimate, well supported by certification service population statistics, represents a vast increase in supply since the early 1980s, the result of repatriations from foreign bank hoards. The 1880-S is still scarce in comparison to many other late date San Francisco Mint Liberty Head double eagles, however, especially in grades above that offered here.From the Fairmont Collection.
