1871-S Double Eagle: Die Characteristics and Grade Rarity
No major die varieties are known. The mintmark is very small and low; it is positioned over the right serif of the N in TWENTY.
The 1871-S Double Eagle is most often seen in Extremely Fine grades. This date is moderately scarce in AU50 and is harder to locate in AU55 and higher grades. Mint State pieces can be a challenge to find. Most experts recognize this date is still sometimes located in small groups of circulated coins from overseas sources and often some have been cleaned and show hairline scratches.
Almost every known Uncirculated 1871-S Double Eagle grades MS61. Higher graded coins are very scarce.