Few Finer 1882-S Double Eagles Available

With each new acquisition for the Grandview Collection of Liberty Double Eagles in 2013, I plan to describe the coin and relevant background information with a journal post. Additional images of the coin and holder will also be provided in the journal. I may even post about interesting coins that have been in the collection for many years.

Type 3 double eagles were produced over a long span of years from 1877 until 1907, and were minted in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Carson City, New Orleans and Denver in various years. The primary differences between Type 3 and Type 2 double eagles is that the denomination on the reverse reads TWENTY DOLLARS, and on the obverse, Liberty's portrait was shifted forward for better centering and there is more detail in the hair. As with all Double Eagles, this coin contains nearly an ounce of pure gold (0.9675 ounce to be precise).

The quantity of Type 3 double eagles produced far exceeded that of Type 1 and 2 twenties, and the number of high grade examples available to collectors today dwarfs the previous types, however, most of these high grade type 3 are dated after 1890. Early Type 3 double eagles minted in San Francisco are often considered to be among the common dates in the series, but actually nice mint state examples are scare. In fact, David Akers in his groundbreaking analysis of double eagles stated "..the 1879-S, 1880-S, 1881-S and 1882-S are all very underrated in uncirculated condition." Recently, the sale prices for eye appealing mint state early S-mint examples have been increasing. The final auction price of the 1882-S $20 in the Grandview collection was substantially higher than previous prices realized.

The 1882-S $20 in the Grandview collection was graded by PCGS as MS62, and is among 326 examples in 62 and just 34 finer at PCGS (14 have been graded finer at NGC). CAC has approved only 11 coins in all grades with 7 coins in 62 and none finer. This coin has original surfaces with frosty orange-gold luster and minimal marks for the grade. Unlike most early S-mint Type 3 twenties which are not fully struck and show weakness in the hair and lines on the shield, this example shows nice detail on both the obverse and reverse. Most mint state 1882-S $20s have significant and detracting hits and marks resulting in poor eye appeal, even at the MS62 level. The Grandview collection 1882-S $20 has truly original surfaces and is choice for the grade.

http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=106968

Images of the 1882-S double eagle from Grandview Collection are shown below.

http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinView.aspx?PeopleSetCoinID=1534020