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The Certified U.S. Gold $20 Liberty 1878-S MS61 PCGS is a highly desirable and visually impressive Mint State example of San Francisco gold coinage from the late 19th century. Graded Mint State 61 by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), this Liberty Head Double Eagle represents the final year of the Type II design before the introduction of the Type III variety later in 1877. With full design detail, bright remaining luster, and strong historical appeal, the 1878-S Double Eagle in MS61 is an excellent combination of condition, scarcity, and regional mint significance, particularly for collectors seeking original uncirculated specimens from the western goldfields.
The obverse of the coin features the timeless portrait of Lady Liberty designed by James B. Longacre. She faces left, crowned with a coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY,” her hair elegantly pulled into a bun with cascading curls. Thirteen six-pointed stars encircle the portrait, symbolizing the original American colonies, and the date “1878” is clearly engraved at the bottom. In MS61 condition, Liberty’s profile and hair detail are fully struck, though light contact marks are common in the open fields and on high points such as Liberty’s cheek and the upper curls. Despite these minor abrasions, the coin remains fully uncirculated with no signs of wear.
The reverse of the 1878-S Double Eagle presents a bold heraldic eagle, with outstretched wings and a striped shield at its breast. The eagle clutches an olive branch and arrows in its talons, symbolizing peace and preparedness. Above the eagle is a scroll with the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” with thirteen stars arranged in a semicircle above. The outer inscriptions read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TWENTY D.” At the base, the “S” mintmark denotes the San Francisco Mint. In this Mint State example, the feather detail in the eagle’s wings and the vertical shield lines are sharply struck, with any abrasions limited to the fields or peripheral devices and consistent with the MS61 grade.
Struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, the coin weighs 33.44 grams and measures 34 millimeters in diameter. These large-format Double Eagles were originally introduced in 1850 to handle the gold wealth pouring out of California during the Gold Rush. By 1878, the San Francisco Mint remained a critical facility in converting regional gold into federal coinage. The city’s location near active mining regions and its proximity to Pacific trade routes made it essential for producing high-denomination coins that were used both domestically and in global commerce.
The mintage of the 1878-S $20 Liberty was 1,739,000 coins, one of the larger outputs among 19th-century San Francisco Double Eagles. However, the survival rate in Mint State grades is relatively low. The vast majority of these coins entered circulation quickly or were shipped abroad for international settlement. Many were later melted, particularly during the 1933 gold recall, meaning that certified Mint State examples like this one are far scarcer than their mintage might suggest. MS61 represents one of the more accessible uncirculated grades, striking a balance between collectibility and affordability without compromising on sharpness or originality.
PCGS’s MS61 grade indicates that the coin is strictly uncirculated, showing no wear from circulation, but possessing noticeable contact marks, minor abrasions, or hairlines that occurred during storage and handling at the Mint or in banks. While not a high Mint State grade, MS61 still offers all the hallmarks of an original strike, including full device detail, preserved edge denticles, and consistent planchet quality. Cartwheel luster is typically present, though sometimes subdued due to the coin’s age or alloy toning.
Visually, 1878-S Double Eagles in MS61 often display rich, satiny luster with warm gold coloration—ranging from light yellow to deeper orange or rose tones. San Francisco Mint coins from this era are known for their strong, even strikes and refined engraving quality. While light field marks are acceptable for the grade, many examples still offer excellent visual appeal due to the bold design elements, symmetrical layout, and balance between brilliance and originality. Collectors especially value examples with clean cheek areas and uniform toning across the surfaces.
Historically, 1878 was a year of national recovery and industrial expansion following the Panic of 1873 and during the height of the Gilded Age. The United States was increasing its global economic presence, and gold coins like the Double Eagle were vital for both domestic reserves and international payments. The San Francisco Mint stood as a symbol of the West’s wealth and productivity, producing high-denomination coinage at a scale needed to meet the demand of bankers, merchants, and foreign governments. These coins helped define the United States’ credibility in global finance during the 19th century.
Today, the Certified U.S. Gold $20 Liberty 1878-S MS61 PCGS is a compelling acquisition for collectors of Liberty Head Double Eagles, pre-1933 U.S. gold, and western mint coinage. It holds special interest as one of the last of the Type II Double Eagles and as a product of the San Francisco Mint during one of its most prolific periods. With its strong strike, historical significance, and solid uncirculated status, the MS61 example provides an affordable entry into Mint State U.S. gold, while still delivering the beauty and weight of one of the most iconic denominations in American numismatics.