1871 Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58+ PL (NGC).A magnificent and flashy example that sits on the cusp of Mint State preservation. The fields are deeply reflective and impart strong contrast against the more frosty devices. A minor rim bruise is noted at 12 oclock on the obverse, but evidence of handling is otherwise limited to light friction across the high points. A lovely piece to examine in-hand. The circulation strike mintage for the 1871 double eagle was tiny for the era with just 80,120 pieces produced for a face value of $1,602,400. This is the lowest Philadelphia Mint production tally of any date in this series after 1859 and prior to 1881. Many lightly worn examples of this date were exported in later banking transactions, only to return to America in the mid to late 20th century, though this repatriation brought back very few high grade specimens. The present piece ranks among the finest examples seen by NGC and just 2 coins have been graded finer within this designation. Remarkably attractive at the assigned level, the coin offered here is sure to see spirited bidding at auction.
