1883-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS61

Here’s a more affordable example of a popular San Francisco Mint issue from the 1880s. PCGS has graded 901 specimens as MS61, with 1,904 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $3,000.00 in MS61.

David Akers writes, "The 1883-S is a relatively common date that can be obtained in any grade up to and including average uncirculated without much difficulty. In choice mint state, the 1883-S is certainly scarce but not rare."

A slight increase in population of this issue is reported by Ron Guth, who writes, "The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained forty-six 1883-S Double Eagles, the bulk of which were circulated. Of the ten Mint State examples in the hoard, the best examples were three PCGS MS63s."

The second San Francisco Mint, built in 1874, where this coin was produced.