1887-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-63 (PCGS).Vivid golden-rose surfaces are uncommonly well preserved for a survivor of this otherwise generally obtainable issue. Razor sharp in striking detail, swirling mint luster further enhances already strong eye appeal. 283,000 double eagles were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1887, equal to a face value of $5,660,000. Although this is not a particularly limited mintage in an absolute sense, it marked the lowest production level for double eagles coined at the San Francisco facility during the 1880s. As recently as 1982, David W. Akers considered the 1887-S to be scarce in Uncirculated condition, and Mint State examples appeared in fewer than 10% of the major auction sales that he surveyed in preparation of his landmark double eagle treatise. Later in 2004, when Q. David Bowers authored his <em>Guide Book of Double Eagles</em> for Whitman, the situation was completely different, as thousands of Uncirculated examples from overseas bank reserves had come to light, and were repatriated in American collections. Today, the more generous estimates place the Uncirculated population above the 3,000-coin figure. On the other hand, the finest that most collections can muster for the 1887-S is an MS-62. In MS-63 this issue is scarce, and it remains exceedingly rare any finer. This is a superior quality example in all regards that represents a significant find for the advanced gold collector.PCGS Population: 77; 8 finer (MS-65 finest).<p>From the Fairmont Collection.
