1866-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Motto. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.Blooms of pinkish luster glow from the protected areas of this desirable transitional example. A few minor bagmarks are apparent on Libertys portrait, though the surfaces remain otherwise smooth and nicely preserved for the assigned grade. Original and attractive. While 842,250 double eagles of the With Motto design were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1866, most survivors of this date are in grades of Very Fine up to Extremely Fine, with About Uncirculated pieces decidedly scarce. Mint State examples are formidable rarities, and hence most collectors try to locate a pleasing About Uncirculated example for their specialized collections. Here is an impressive and desirable example of the first double eagle to bear the new motto that would remain on the denomination until the advent of Augustus Saint-Gaudens famous design in 1907.
