The 1904-S Double Eagle has the highest mintage of any San Francisco double eagle. As one might expect, this is one of the most available issues from this mint.

Expert’s Corner: 1904-S Double Eagle

An easily-formed neat mini-collection for the Type Three collector might be a set of 1904 and 1904-S double eagles which grade MS65.

The strike seen on the 1904-S is as sharp as any double eagle from San Francisco. The centers are usually fully defined with strong hair and feathers. The borders are sharp, as well, although a few 1904-S double eagles are weak at the reverse denticles. The surfaces are abraded, as is common for this denomination, but less so than other issues. There are many very clean coins known; therefore, the collector should be able to locate one without a problem. The luster is excellent and tends to be frosty in texture. Some semi-proof-like pieces are known, and these can have good eye appeal. The coloration on uncleaned, original pieces ranges from rose and orange-gold to a medium green-gold shade. The level of eye appeal tends to be very high; hence it is easy to locate a choice to gem 1904-S. The 1904-S double eagle is common in all grades up to and including MS65. The MS65 population is slightly over 600. Only 15 MS66 coins have been graded by PCGS & NGC combined.