1879-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS).This is an enchanting Liberty Head twenty irrespective of date or issuing mint. A lively satin to semi-prooflike finish greets the viewer from both sides, the eye appeal further enhanced by vivid orange-gold patina. Striking detail is so sharp as to be virtually full, and the surfaces are uncommonly smooth for both the issue and the assigned grade. An upper end MS-62 worthy of the strongest bids. The mintage for this issue is 1,223,800 pieces, down more than 515,000 coins from the previous years output at the San Francisco Mint. Face value totaled $24,476,000. Many were shipped to foreign destinations, although fewer have been repatriated than for many other double eagles of the era. Some 400 to 500 Uncirculated examples exist, mainly at the MS-60 and MS-61 levels. The 1879-S was a particularly challenging issue in Mint State before examples starting coming home from foreign bank hoards. Even so, it remains scarce with the quality and eye appeal offered here, and rare any finer.<p>PCGS Population: 100; 9 finer (MS-64 finest).
