1887-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS61

Here’s a great piece to add to your collection. The 1887-S double eagle has a relatively low mintage for a San Francisco issue: 283,000. Much of the production was shipped overseas, and their later return provides the majority of the supply today. The Mint State population is concentrated mostly in the MS61 to MS62 range. PCGS has graded 340 as MS61 with 614 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $3,250.00 in MS61.

“The 1887 is a relatively scarce date in all grades,” writes gold specialist David Akers, “comparable overall to the 1881-S and a little more rare than the 1880-S and 1890-S. It is not as rare in Unc., however, as either the 1880-S or 1881-S. In choice mint state the 1887-S is very scarce and gems are notably rare. A few really superb examples of this date are also known including the Unc-67 coin that is in a prominent Dallas Bank collection.”

The Old San Francisco Mint, where this piece was struck in 1887. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.