1896-S $20, PL MS(PCGS#89030)

December 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2432

Grade

MS63+PL

Price

4,320

Lot Description

1896-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-63+ PL (PCGS). A noteworthy strike rarity for this issue, as of this writing this coin is the finest of just four 1896-S double eagles awarded a PL designation by PCGS. The fields are well mirrored and contrast nicely with the devices at direct lighting angles. Warm honey-orange patina throughout with a sharply to fully executed strike. The mintage of the 1896-S double eagle amounted to 1,403,925 pieces, up more than 260,000 coins from the previous year's total at the San Francisco Mint. Face value equaled $28,078,500. Much of the mintage was exported, repatriations in recent decades swelling the Mint State population to 10,000 to 16,000 or more examples. This piece is finer than the typical survivor in the MS-60 to MS-62 grade range, the coveted PL designation adding further appeal for advanced gold enthusiasts. PCGS Population: just 4 in all grades in the PL category, this being the finest certified. PCGS# 89030. NGC ID: 26CG. Click here for certification details from PCGS.