1873-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Open 3. AU-58 (NGC).

Near-fully defined with ample mint luster remaining, this attractive Choice AU also sports vivid patina in medium orange-gold. The mintage for the 1873-S double eagle of 1,040,600 pieces includes both Close 3 and Open 3 date logotypes, and it was higher than the previous year's San Francisco Mint delivery by more than a quarter-million pieces. Face value totaled a hefty $20,812,000. Much of this mintage later went overseas in banking transactions, and many are the About Uncirculated and Mint State pieces that have come back home, especially during the 1990s. Most of the survivors are examples of the Close 3 variety, however, Open 3 coins such as this in the distinct minority in today's market. A find for the advanced double eagle enthusiast.

PCGS# 8979. NGC ID: 26AM.