1891-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS63

Here's a great piece to serve as a type coin for your collection. The Liberty head double eagle has always been popular with collectors, and here's a lustrous one in the choice grade of MS63. PCGS has graded 1,230 as MS63 with 232 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $5,250.00 in MS63.

The 1849 Liberty Head pattern coin designed by James B. Longacre. It is part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The obverse of the $20 Double Eagle features a left-facing Liberty design influenced by Greco-Roman sculpture. A pearl-encrusted coronet inscribed with “Liberty” adorns her wavy hair, which flows down her neck. Thirteen stars that represent the original colonies/states surround her bust. The date is found below the image of Liberty.

The reverse presents Longacre's exaggerated design, featuring a heraldic eagle, one that is quite different from eagles previously found upon our coinage. Dramatic rays emanate from the national bird, and a cluster of 13 stars is found hovering over the eagle. Two contrived ribbons encircle the awkward creature, one of which the eagle holds firmly in its beak. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is split between the two ribbons. A federal shield is found on its breast and arrows and the ivy branch of peace are found, respectively, in its right and left talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS surround the bird at the coin's rim.