1899-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC.Light pinkish-gold patina mingles with lively mint luster, both sides exceptionally attractive even for the impressive Choice Mint State grade. Sharply to fully struck and nicely preserved in all regards. The San Francisco Mint produced 2,010,300 double eagles in 1899, many of which saw use in foreign banking and business transactions. Face value for the issue amounted to $40,206,000. The mintage was down nearly 565,000 pieces from the preceding years production figure. We suggest that some 12,000 to 18,000 or more Mint State examples of this bountiful issue are available, with coins up to MS-63 available with regularity; higher grades, as here, are moderately scarce. Many of the known pieces have been repatriated from European holdings in recent decades, though Mint State examples of the date have always been available to the numismatic community. A lovely near-Gem equally well suited for inclusion in a high quality type or date set.
