1871-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS61 - Semi-Prooflike!

While common in circulated grades, this S-Mint issue is a rarity in uncirculated grades. Plus it has semi-prooflike reflective fields, which makes this piece even more desirable. PCGS has graded 106 in MS61 with 46 finer.

James B. Longacre, the artist-engraver who crafted the Liberty head double eagle design.

The obverse of the $20 Double Eagle features a left-facing Liberty design influenced by Greco-Roman sculpture. A pearl-encrusted coronet inscribed with “Liberty” adorns her wavy hair, which flows down her neck. Thirteen stars that represent the original colonies/states surround her bust. The date is found below the image of Liberty.

The reverse presents Longacre's exaggerated design, featuring a heraldic eagle, one that is quite different from eagles previously found upon our coinage. Dramatic rays emanate from the national bird, and a circle of 13 stars is found hovering over the eagle. Two contrived ribbons encircle the awkward creature, one of which the eagle holds firmly in its beak. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is split between the two ribbons. A federal shield is found on its breast and arrows and the ivy branch of peace are found, respectively, in its right and left talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY D. surround the bird at the coin's rim.