1879 Liberty Head Double Eagle

About This Coin

The 1879 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a United States Gold Double Eagle from the Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907 series — 31st of 59 years in the series. In 1879, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 1.5 million. This ranks 31st of 58 years by total mintage, above the series median of 1.4 million. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM surrounded by a glory of rays. Resumption of specie payments. Double eagles re-entered domestic and international circulation. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 33.4 grams, 34 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced 7 years before the celebrated 1886 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $4.9K to $281K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $138K in MS61 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.