1885-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC. A noteworthy condition rarity among circulation strike 1880s double eagles. Beautiful rose-gold surfaces are originally and expertly preserved with eye appeal to spare. Lustrous and frosty, as well, with a razor sharp strike throughout the design.<p>The mintage for this issue is 683,500 coins. Similar to contemporary San Francisco Mint twenties most 1885-S examples promptly entered circulation; many others were shipped overseas, and still others were set aside for the backing of Gold Certificates. David W. Akers, writing in 1982, enumerated a few dozen Uncirculated examples that he found listed in a survey of major auction sales going back to the 1940s. By 2004, when Q. David Bowers penned his Guide Book of Double Eagles, the supply was estimated at between 2,000 and 4,000 examples, this being in a different era after significant quantities had been repatriated from foreign bank hoards. While plentiful in lower grades, the 1885-S remains rare at the Choice Mint State level, as here. This extraordinary near-Gem Fairmont specimen is sure to attract spirited bidding.<p><p> PCGS# 9005. NGC ID: 26BP. PCGS Population: 11; 3 finer (all MS-65).</p><p>CAC Population: 6; 0. The former total includes coins certified both MS-64 and MS-64+.</p> From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.
