1891-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS62

Here’s a more affordable gold double eagle to serve as a type coin in your collection. What makes it a more reasonably priced coin is that PCGS has authenticated and graded 6,595 of them. PCGS has graded 2,881 as MS62 with 1,476 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $3,250.00 in MS62. Please take a look at the photos provided by AUCM of this classic Liberty Head design.

The 1849 Liberty Head pattern coin designed by James B. Longacre. It is part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

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. Within the stars is IN GOD WE TRUST. 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 DOLLARS surround the bird at the coin's rim.