1860-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS). Richly colored surfaces are undeniably original in preservation. Bountiful mint luster throughout, both sides are sharply struck with minimal abrasions for the assigned grade level. Federal records indicate that 544,950 double eagles were coined in the San Francisco Mint during 1860, these having a face value of $10,899,000. In 1982, David W. Akers found a scant five offerings of examples listed as Mint State in a survey of more than 400 major auction sales. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth, in their <em>Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins: 1795-1933</em> (2008), noted:</p><p><em>"This issue is very rare in Mint State. Only about two dozen Uncirculated coins are known, including examples found on the wrecks of the </em>S.S. Brother Jonathan<em> and </em>S.S. Republic<em>."</em></p><p>The offered coin from the Fairmont Collection is most definitely not a shipwreck find, but rather represents an even rarer 1860-S twenty that survived in Mint State by other means. It is a newcomer to the numismatic market, and is not all that far from Condition Census standing for the issue. Sure to see spirited bidding among astute double eagle enthusiasts.</p> PCGS# 8931. NGC ID: 269F. PCGS Population: 21; 14 finer (MS-64 finest). From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.
