1881-S $20 MS(PCGS#8995)

1881-S $20 MS (PCGS#8995)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: A stunning example with superior eye appeal and technical quality. All devices are incredibly sharp and blanketed in rich, frosty mint luster. Overall golden-wheat color is enhanced by warmer rose-apricot toning. Virtually unsurpassable in a PCGS holder, and worthy of serious bidder consideration.<p>The West Coast mint reported a mintage of 727,000 double eagles in 1881, and it is likely that most of the mintage entered into the channels of commerce and remained there until the average grade was only in the VF to EF range. Other pieces were likely reserved in banks and Treasury vaults for the redemption of Gold Certificates. Q. David Bowers in his 2004 <em>Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins</em> estimates an Uncirculated supply of 500 to 750+ pieces. This estimate is a little on the low side relative to modern combined PCGS and NGC population statistics (even taking into consideration the likelihood of resubmissions), but even so it represents a large increase in available supplies since the early 1980s. Obviously many examples have been repatriated from foreign bank reserves in recent years, a familiar story in the Liberty Head double eagle series. With most survivors grading no finer than MS-62, however, this beautiful Select Uncirculated example offers superior quality for the astute double eagle collector.