1863-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS).This near-fully lustrous example exhibits frosty golden-rose surfaces on both sides. The mintage for the 1863-S double eagle is 966,570 pieces, a substantial production figure for the Civil War era. This issue circulated extensively in West Coast commerce at a time when specie had virtually disappeared from day-to-day transactions in the Midwest and the East. Although many were likely exported overseas in later years, survival rates are comparable to most other double eagle issues from the early to mid 1860s. Q David Bowers estimated a circulated population of 3,500 to 5,000 coins in his 2004 Guide Book of Double Eagles, the vast majority of which grade no finer than the lower reaches of AU. This is an upper end example for both the issue and the assigned grade that is sure to sell for a strong premium.
