1888 Liberty Head Double Eagle

About This Coin

The 1888 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a United States Gold Double Eagle from the Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907 series — 40th of 59 years in the series. In 1888, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 1.1 million. This ranks 17th of 58 years by total mintage, below the series median of 1.4 million. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM surrounded by a glory of rays. Struck during the Gilded Age of rapid industrialization and the great silver debates, when monetary policy shaped elections and economic destiny. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 33.4 grams, 34 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Collectors have identified one known die variety for this date (doubled die reverse). Struck two years after the 1886 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $4.9K to $42K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $63K in PR64 grade at David Akers. Designed by James Barton Longacre.