1889-S Double Eagle - 1889-S $20 PCGS MS64. With its rose-gold centers and yellow gold peripheries, this attractive, near-Gem, Western branch mint 1889-S Double Eagle  is tied for the finest known at both PCGS and NGC. This 1889-S Double Eagle  coin is well struck with full details on Libertys hair, the centers of the stars, and the design details of the reverse. Light abrasion keeps this 1889-S Double Eagle  from a Gem grade; however, its surfaces are original and clean for the grade with no individually distracting marks. Much of the eye-appeal of this piece is a result of the lovely mint luster that bathes both sides of the coin.

As a direct result of the California Gold Rush, in the West there was an abundance of gold bullion, nuggets and dust; however, there was also an acute shortage of circulating coinage. Congress authorized this mint to relive the shortage and coin silver and gold and because transportation of bullion to Philadelphia was time consuming and hazardous. Because of its proximity to the Gold Rush area, San Francisco was chosen as the site of the new mint. In 1874 it moved into a new building called the Old United States Mint or the Granite Lady. It is one of the few structures that survived the earthquake of 1906. It remained in service as a mint until 1938, when the present facility opened.

In its first year of operation the Mint made four million dollars in gold coins from bullion. The second building, the Old United States Mint, was designed by Alfred B. Mullett in Greek Revival style. It was built in an E-shape with a central pediment portico. There was a completely enclosed courtyard that had a well. It was these features that saved it in the fire that resulted from the earthquake of 1906. The building was situated on a concrete and granite foundation that was made to prevent tunneling into its vaults. In 1906 there was $300 million, a third of the United States gold reserves, in its vaults. Frank Leach and his men worked heroically to successfully preserve the building and the bullion. The mint was able to resume service and operated until 1937. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Since most of the building was made of sandstone, the nickname of The Granite Lady is a misnomer. Only the basement was made from granite. It was opened to visitors in 1993 and sold to the City of San Francisco for one dollar in 2003 for use as the Museum of the City of San Francisco.

The New Mint was opened in 1937 and made circulating coinage beginning in 1955. In 1968 most proof coinage was made there. Business strike supplemental coinage was struck there from 1968 to 1974. Since 1974, the mint has been used only for proof coinage with the exception of the Anthony Dollar and some early 1980s cents. From 1962 to 1988 the mint was officially an assay office. It became a mint again in 1988.

James B. Longacre designed the double eagle. Its design was a new concept that endured well past the turn of the century. When Longacre first came to work at the Mint, he was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. In the end Peale was found out and fired in 1854. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.

Despite numerous efforts by dealers and others to resubmit near-Gem coins for regrading, no coin has achieved a higher grade than the present piece. In its population report, PCGS shows this 1889-S Double Eagle  tied with a group of 12 others at MS64 with none better. At NGC there are 5 in MS64 with none better.