1889 Liberty Head Double Eagle

About This Coin

The 1889 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a United States Gold Double Eagle from the Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907 series — 41st of 59 years in the series. In 1889, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City Mints with a combined mintage of 849,756. This ranks 6th 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. Carson City resumed double eagle production alongside Philadelphia and San Francisco. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 33.4 grams, 34 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced 3 years after the celebrated 1886 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $4.9K to $89K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $353K in PR65 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.