1876 $20 MS(PCGS#8976)

February 2025 Showcase Auction - U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2191

Grade

MS61

Price

3,360

Lot Description

Inviting rose-orange color blankets both sides of this sharply struck, wonderfully original example. The Philadelphia Mint delivered 583,860 double eagles for commercial use in 1876, nearly twice as many as the preceding year. Some of the mintage made its way overseas as was common in the era, and many of today's lower range Uncirculated examples are from those holdings. Some 1,000 to 1,500 examples probably exist in Mint State, mostly at the low end of the grading scale, but with enough high quality pieces available for those who seek them. This Centennial year issue is frequently selected for inclusion in gold type sets, and quality conscious bidders would be wise to focus on this impressive quality offering from the extensive Fairmont holdings.