1874 Double Eagle Condition Rarity and Collector Appeal
This date is popular with collectors as the most feasible year in the Type Two era (1866-1876) because it is easier to assemble a high grade complete denomination set ($1.00, $2.50, $3.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00). An 1874 gold year set can be completed in Mint State with the exception of the $5.00 which is seldom seen above Extremely Fine.
No significant die varieties are known.
A total of 20 Proofs were struck. It is estimated that only eight to nine of these
exist today. The 1874 Double Eagle is usually found in the lower About Uncirculated grades. Due to the existence of a small group of coins located in Europe, MS60 pieces, while scarce, are sometimes available. This date becomes very scarce in MS61, even rarer in MS62, and extremely rare in any Uncirculated grade higher.