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Auction 402 | Lot 2297 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles

1881 $20 PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. in 1881, the Philadelphia Mint produced both business strikes and proofs, all in very limited quantities, and today, this date is one of the most important in the entire series. Total production amounted to just 2,220 business strikes and 61 proofs. Today, it is believed that about 12 of the former and 20 of the latter survive. Among the proofs are examples in the Smithsonian Institution, the ANS, and those in the Garrett, Eliasberg, and Trompeter collections. Eliasberg actually had two different coins. We have been unable to trace the pedigree of this example from the Lake Highlands Collection, but we are certain it is not any of those just mentioned. Perhaps the only visible imperfection, which may or may not appear in older catalog photos, is a short line of discoloration extending up from the leading edge of the coronet, into the field near star 6.

The fields are deeply mirrored with the watery or wavy appearance of nearly all proof gold coins from this era. Both sides have highly lustrous and exceptionally well detailed devices, although Liberty's chin has a polished area, much like a goatee. The numismatic connoisseur will be delighted to learn that this example exhibits no defects, whether Mint-made or post-striking. The numismatic student will be a little disappointed for the same reason, in that this complete lack of imperfections will mean the pedigree tracking will be nearly impossible. All 61 proofs were struck from a single die pair, while business strikes were from a different obverse, but possibly the same reverse. Proofs have the left base of the first 1 over the center of a dentil while business strikes have the left edge of this digit over the right edge of a dentil. The entire mintage of proof 1881 double eagles came from three different groups. The first group included 40 coins that were sold as part of proof sets in February. The next was a tiny selection of four coins that were delivered in the second quarter of the year. The (PCGS# 99097)

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Grade PR66

Auction Ended

Apr 7, 2006

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Sold For: $184,000.00

Auction 1341 | Lot 4766 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles

1881 $20 PR63 Deep Cameo PCGS. JD-1, High R.5. (PCGS# 99097)

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Grade PR63

Auction Ended

Jan 14, 2022

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Sold For: $150,000.00

Auction 1376 | Lot 4413 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles

1881 $20 PR62 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC. JD-1, High R.5. (PCGS# 99097)

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Grade PR62

Auction Ended

Aug 18, 2024

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Sold For: $96,000.00

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Auction 1151 | Lot 5286 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles

1881 $20 PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC. (PCGS# 99097)

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Grade PR63

Auction Ended

Jan 9, 2011

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Sold For: $40,250.00

Auction 352 | Lot 7693 » Double Eagles » Liberty Double Eagles

1881 $20 PR62 Deep Cameo PCGS. Ex: Trompeter. This year witnessed the first in a series of minuscule double eagle deliveries from the Philadelphia Mint that would continue through 1887. In 1883, 1884, and 1887, the Mint delivered only proofs, while in the remaining years the production of business strikes was so small that extant representatives are equally as elusive as their proof counterparts. The current issue is no exception to this rule. The Philadelphia Mint produced a mere 2,260 business strike double eagles in 1881 and 61 proof specimens. Numismatic scholars believe that, of the former, 20-25 pieces are extant. Proof survivors number no more than 18 pieces, of which one is impounded in the ANS Museum and another is part of the Smithsonian's holdings.

An undeniably important offering for the advanced gold specialist, the present coin also boasts superior eye appeal for the grade. Scattered hairlines are evident under a loupe and seem to account for the PR62 designation. Outwardly, however, the surfaces display a relatively clean appearance with a single contact mark below Liberty's nose being the only worthwhile pedigree marker. The cameo contrast is noted, but the fields reveal the depth of reflectivity that one would expect from proof production methods. Fully struck with warm, original orange-gold and green-gold coloration.
From The Greenwich Collection, Part Two. (PCGS# 99097)

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Grade PR62

Auction Ended

Aug 21, 2004

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Sold For: $37,375.00