1889-S $20 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS65+

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PCGS MS65+

PCGS #:: 9012

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 774,700

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $27,600 • MS65 • 11-14-2021 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1889-S $20
1889-S $20, PL

Die Varieties

1889-S $20 Saddle Ridge Hoard

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	8,562	R-3.2	36 / 73 TIE	109 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	1,962	R-4.6	39 / 73 TIE	107 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 73	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	8,562
60 or Better	1,962
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.2
60 or Better	R-4.6
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	36 / 73 TIE
60 or Better	39 / 73 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 73

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	109 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	107 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS65+ PCGS grade
1	MS65+ PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS64+ PCGS grade
6	MS64+ PCGS grade
6	MS64+ PCGS grade
6	MS64+ PCGS grade
10	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS65+ PCGS grade

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

#6 MS64+ PCGS grade

#10 MS64 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1889-S is a relatively common date in any grade up to and including average uncirculated. It is similar in both overall rarity and condition rarity to the 1894-S, 1895-S, 1896-S, 1903-S and 1906-S. Choice uncirculated specimens are rather scarce and, of course, true gems are very scarce but this date is more available in Unc. than most S-Mints preceding it. Note: A very careful look at the auction data (pre-1970's) shows that at one time the 1889-S was very scarce, particularly in Unc. may important collections either lacked the date entirely or had only a circulated specimen. However, in the late 1960's and early 1970's many uncs were found in Europe and that is why the 1889-S is now comparatively common.

Ron Guth:

422 of the 1,427 coins in the Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins were 1889-S Double Eagles. Nearly 100 of those were Mint State and the quality was excellent. As a result, the PCGS Pop Report has swelled and nine examples were better than anything that had been known before. Where once the Finest Known was an MS64, now top honors go to a pair of PCGS MS65+s from the Saddle Ridge Hoard.