1881 $20 PR63 Deep Cameo PCGS. JD-1, High R.5....

Description

1881 Double Eagle, PR63 Deep Cameo
Famous Low-Mintage Issue
18 to 22 Proofs Survive

1881 $20 PR63 Deep Cameo PCGS. JD-1, High R.5. The 1881 is the first in what would become a series of ultra-low-mintage Philadelphia double eagle issues that ran though 1887. The seven-year span included three years for which no circulation strikes were produced at all: 1883, 1884, and 1887. The 1882 and 1885 dates had marginal mintages of 571 and 751 coins, respectively. The 1881 may seem plentiful by contrast. However, just 2,199 pieces were struck for circulation, plus 61 proofs. In 2004, Dave Bowers proposed a surviving population of 18 to 22 specimens, a range that John Dannreuther echoed as recently as 2018, writing:

"This was the first year that collectors could buy individual gold Proofs, so we no longer have identical mintages for all denominations. The price was twenty-five cents over the face value, so the downside was very limited and there was speculation in gold Proof coinage. With 61 Proof double eagles struck and presumably sold, one wonders what happened to the majority of them?"

PCGS documents seven certification events in non-Cameo and nine more in Deep Cameo (none in Cameo) for a total of 16 submissions. This particular Select Uncirculated Deep Cameo representative is typically high-quality for an 1881 double eagle. Contrast is outstanding with the fully struck devices exhibiting a thick blanket of mint frost and the nearly depthless mirrors showing profound reflectivity. Minor hairlines and small, scattered signs of contact like a few ticks left of the first 1 in the date explain the grade. They will also help in future identification. Visual appeal remains terrific. Population: 2 in 63 Deep Cameo, 5 finer (11/21).(Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26E2, PCGS# 99097, Greysheet# 10052)

Weight: 33.44 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from PCGS