1901-S $20 MS62 Certification #10834240, PCGS #9040

David Akers (1975/88)

I am sure that it will come as a surprise to most collectors to learn that the 1901-S is not a common date. The Half Eagle and Eagle of this date and mint are both very common, even in Gem condition, but the Double Eagle very definitely is not. That is not to say that the 1901-S Double Eagle is a great rarity, but it certainly is a very scarce date, if not a rare one, in gem condition. I have seen no more than a couple of true gems and not really all that many that were even choice Unc. Overall, the 1901-S is comparable to the 1888-S, 1892-S, 1893-S and 1905-S (not to mention the low mintage 1902 and 1906) and it is much rarer than the common 1901, especially in mint state. This date is another prime example of the fact that mintages can be very misleading in the determination of true rarity. I consider the 1901-S to be one of the most underrated dates in the Double Eagle series in uncirculated condition.