1861-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS).Appealing golden-tan coloration adorns each side of this significant example, accented by hints of pinkish luster immediately around the devices. Attractive for the grade, with just a trace of friction in the fields but no individually distracting blemishes. <p>After producing 19,250 double eagles in early 1861 using the famed Paquet Reverse, the San Francisco Mint went on to strike an additional 768,000 examples using the pre-existing "regular" Longacre reverse. Most of these coins entered circulation in the West and were eagerly accepted, leaving most survivors in heavily worn condition for todays collectors. Recovered treasure ship finds have yielded the majority of the estimated 40 to 55 Mint State survivors, most of which have already been snatched up by astute collectors and are solidly off the market as part of tightly held collections. The present piece remains in important find, with only 19 coins certified at the present level by PCGS and just 8 finer through MS-64.<p>PCGS# 8935. NGC ID: 269K.PCGS Population: 19; 8 finer.
