It seems likely that a significant number of 1905-S double eagles were melted, as this date is scarcer than its reasonably high mintage would suggest. This is also true with the 1905-S half eagle and eagle coinage.

Expert’s Corner: 1905-S Double Eagle

The price and rarity factor of 160 makes this double eagle worth considering.

The strike seen on the 1905-S is not quite as sharp as some of the other San Francisco double eagles of this era. On the obverse, the hair is fully detailed, but the stars and denticles may show some weakness. The reverse is less sharp with a number showing weakness at the juncture of the wings and the body. The surfaces are nearly always heavily abraded, and many 1905-S double eagles show deep marks in the obverse fields. The luster is good with a rich, frosty texture. On uncleaned, original pieces the coloration seen most often is a medium to deep rose and green-gold. The level of eye appeal is slightly below average, making it difficult to locate an attractive 1905-S double eagle.