1898-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC MS63

Here's a dramatic fin de siècle example of a popular Type 3 Liberty head double eagle issue. Struck in 1898 at the San Francisco Mint, such pieces are cherished by enthusiasts of issues of the celebrated mint in California. They spent much time in canvas mint bags, probably traveling to and from European banks. Therefore, many 1898-S double eagles have bag marks and abrasions. Because of this, it is difficult to find this issue in MS64 and above. NGC has graded 4,935 as MS63 with 1,485 finer. Collector’s Universe prices this issue at $3,100.00 in MS63.

The NGC Green Label Program

Numismatic experts at RARCOA—a leading supplier of rare coins since 1962—inspect coins for attributes of superior quality that includes outstanding eye appeal, razor-sharp strike, booming luster, and beautiful rainbow toning. RARCOA then submits these exceptional coins to NGC for certification and encapsulation. Only coins that possess such extraordinary quality—according to RARCOA's strict standards—are awarded the NGC Green Label. These NGC Green Label coins are the crème de la crème of the numismatic world.

The Old San Francisco Mint, where this piece was produced in 1898. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.