1887 Liberty Head Double Eagle

About This Coin

The 1887 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a United States Gold Double Eagle from the Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907 series — 39th of 59 years in the series. In 1887, coins were struck at the San Francisco and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 283,121. This represents the second-lowest annual mintage in the series, below 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. San Francisco produced the bulk of double eagles for international gold trade. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 33.4 grams, 34 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Struck one year after the 1886 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $4.9K to $84K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $259K in PR66 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.