1881-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS). A superior example with strong eye appeal and technical quality. All devices are incredibly sharp and blanketed in rich, frosty mint luster. Overall golden-wheat color is accented by warmer rose-apricot toning. The West Coast mint reported a mintage of 727,000 double eagles in 1881, and it is likely that most of the mintage entered into the channels of commerce and remained there until the average grade was only in the VF to EF range. Other pieces were likely reserved in banks and Treasury vaults for the redemption of Gold Certificates. Q. David Bowers in his 2004 <em>Guide Book of Double Eagles</em> estimates an Uncirculated supply of 500 to 750+ pieces. This estimate is a little on the low side relative to modern combined PCGS and NGC population statistics (even taking into consideration the likelihood of resubmissions), but even so it represents a large increase in available supplies since the early 1980s. Obviously many examples have been repatriated from foreign bank reserves in recent years, a familiar story in the Liberty Head double eagle series. With most survivors grading no finer than MS-62, this beautiful nearly Choice Uncirculated example represents outstanding value for the astute double eagle collector. PCGS# 8995. NGC ID: 26BD. From the Fairmont Collection - CBL Set.
