1890 $20 MS(PCGS#9013)

December 2025 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part I

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

20047

Grade

MS65

Price

66,000

Lot Description

Remarkable quality and superior eye appeal define this high Condition Census 1890 double eagle. Satin to softly frosted surfaces are intensely lustrous with a razor sharp strike from the rims to the centers. Rich orange-gold mint color is a delight to behold, and it is joined by pale pinkish-silver overtones as well as deep crimson-russet peripheral highlights that further confirm this coin's awesome originality. Expertly preserved, this is an awe-inspiring Gem that will be perfect for another world class double eagle collection.<p>Only 75,940 double eagles were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1890. Portions of the mintage went overseas in banking and other business transactions. Due to the "silver question" and the "Free Silver" movement, politicians placed heavy emphasis on the supposed desirability of silver dollars over gold coins. Overseas merchants and bankers feared that the government might pay its obligations in silver dollars of reduced intrinsic value (just 81 cents). This precipitated a rush to buy double eagles in the 1880s that continued into the new decade. The Treasury Department was on its way to running out of such coins! Treasury or Coin Notes, first issued this year, were redeemable in silver or gold, at the option of the treasurer of the United States, as it was not certain if there would be sufficient gold available.<p>Before the later years of the 20th century, when examples of the issue began to return from overseas, the 1890 was not often seen in Mint State. Today, we estimate some 700 to 900 or more Mint State examples of the date exist, most at the low end of the Uncirculated range. This is an exceptionally well preserved, exquisitely original condition rarity that represents an interesting era in the Liberty Head double eagle series.