There were far fewer double eagles struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1889 than in the previous year, but the number struck is still high when compared to the figures from 1881 through 1887.

Expert’s Corner: 1889 Double Eagle

Remember earlier in this book when I told you that there were certain Type Three double eagles that were “sleepers” and were much undervalued? The 1889 is clearly one of these issues that has a great rarity factor. It is very hard to find even in MS62, yet it is still within the price range of most collectors reading this book. It is an issue that I continue to recommend highly.

1889 Double Eagle Characteristics, Luster, and Collector Rarity

The 1889 is a better produced issue than the 1888. It is typically seen with sharp details on the hair of Liberty and full radial lines on many of the obverse stars. The reverse shows strong detail on the feathers and the wing tips. The surfaces on most 1889 double eagles are seen with clusters of deep, detracting marks. This is an issue that appears to have been handled very roughly, and as a result is extremely hard to find without a “scuffy” appearance. The luster is frosty with a slightly grainy texture. The coloration on uncleaned, original pieces is most often a rich orange-gold hue. The level of eye appeal tends to be below average, making it difficult to locate an 1889 with acceptable surfaces and non-impaired luster.