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The Certified U.S. Gold $20 Liberty 1882-S MS60 PCGS is a classic example of late 19th-century American gold coinage, struck at the San Francisco Mint during a period of financial growth and international monetary stability. Graded Mint State 60 by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), this coin offers collectors and investors an authentic, uncirculated Double Eagle with full design details and rich historical context. Though MS60 is the entry-level Mint State grade, it retains the sharpness and original luster of an uncirculated coin while exhibiting moderate surface abrasions from storage and handling. As part of the Type III Liberty Head series, which ran from 1877 to 1907, the 1882-S exemplifies the quality and scale of U.S. gold production in the West.
The obverse of the 1882-S Double Eagle features James B. Longacre’s enduring design of Lady Liberty, facing left and crowned with a classical coronet inscribed “LIBERTY.” Her hair is elegantly tied in a bun, with loose curls falling down her neck. Thirteen six-pointed stars representing the original colonies circle the design, and the date “1882” is positioned prominently below the portrait. In MS60 condition, the coin displays full strike detail across Liberty’s face, hair, and coronet, although small contact marks and scuffs—common for the grade—may be evident in the open fields and on focal areas such as the cheek and neck.
The reverse design, introduced with the Type III modification in 1877, features a powerful heraldic eagle with a shield at its breast, grasping an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other. Above the eagle is a flowing scroll bearing the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and thirteen stars arc above the scroll. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TWENTY DOLLARS” encircle the design. The “S” mintmark, denoting the San Francisco Mint, appears below the eagle’s tail feathers. Even in MS60, the reverse retains complete definition, with visible feather detail and crisp lettering, though bag marks may be present across the fields or central devices.
This coin was struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, with a gross weight of 33.44 grams and a diameter of 34 millimeters. The Double Eagle denomination—introduced in 1850 to accommodate the influx of gold from the California Gold Rush—was primarily used in high-value commercial and banking transactions. These coins were often shipped overseas for international trade or held in bank vaults as reserves. San Francisco, positioned near the West’s goldfields, played a crucial role in striking millions of these coins to meet the financial demands of a growing economy and expanding trade network.
The total mintage for the 1882-S $20 Liberty was 1,125,000 coins, a moderate output for the series and location. However, the vast majority were put into immediate circulation or used in export payments. Surviving Mint State examples are scarcer than their original mintage would suggest, especially when considering attrition due to melting, wear, or damage over the decades. While the 1882-S is not a key date in the Liberty Head Double Eagle series, Mint State examples remain appealing due to their affordability, historical significance, and intrinsic gold content.
PCGS's MS60 designation confirms that the coin is fully uncirculated, with no trace of wear on the design’s high points, but does allow for moderate contact marks and scuffing across the surfaces. These marks are typically concentrated in open fields and on high-relief features, the result of being stored and transported in bulk, especially in canvas bags that allowed the heavy coins to jostle and clash. Though such marks affect technical grading, they do not detract from the historical and visual significance of the coin, and the coin still retains its original strike integrity and luster—often subdued but still present.
Visually, 1882-S Double Eagles often exhibit pleasing coloration, ranging from bright yellow to rich orange-gold or reddish hues, due to slight variations in alloy composition and long-term storage. Coins from the San Francisco Mint are generally well-struck, and even MS60 examples often show full star detail, complete denticles, and strong central definition on the eagle’s wings and shield. While the luster may not be as vibrant as in higher-grade pieces, the design’s depth and historical presence remain intact, making it an appealing coin for display or investment purposes.
Historically, the early 1880s were a time of economic growth and technological progress in the United States. Railroads were expanding westward, American industry was flourishing, and San Francisco had established itself as a key financial hub for the Pacific Coast. The San Francisco Mint, known as the “Granite Lady” for its sturdy structure that would famously survive the 1906 earthquake, was instrumental in converting local and regional gold into circulating currency. Double Eagles like this one helped fuel trade, both domestic and international, and their large size and gold content made them ideal for large transactions and foreign exchange.
Today, the Certified U.S. Gold $20 Liberty 1882-S MS60 PCGS appeals to collectors of U.S. gold, investors seeking pre-1933 bullion with historic and numismatic value, and enthusiasts of Western mint coinage. As one of the most accessible Mint State examples from the San Francisco Mint in the Liberty Double Eagle series, it offers a solid balance between quality and cost. The PCGS certification ensures authenticity and grade integrity, making the coin a reliable addition to any numismatic portfolio or gold holding.
Whether acquired for its beauty, bullion content, or as a tangible link to the Gilded Age of American finance and westward expansion, the 1882-S MS60 is a rewarding coin. It exemplifies the craftsmanship, economic importance, and enduring legacy of the Liberty Head series while offering a substantial and attractive gold artifact in its original, uncirculated form.