LIBERTY
HEAD (WITH MOTTO ON REVERSE) "TWENTY DOLLARS" ON
REVERSE (1877-1907)
1906 Double Eagle
1906
Double Eagle or $20 Gold
PCGS
No:
9049, 9122
Circulation
strikes Mintage:
69,690
Proofs:
94
Designer:
James Barton
Longacre
Diameter:
±34
millimeters
Metal
content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%
Weight:
±516
grains (±33.4 grams)
Edge:
Reeded
Mintmark:
None (for Philadelphia,
PA) below the eagle's tail on the reverse
Introduction:
Although the 1906 double eagle is scarce, it is seen
more often than the 1902 and 1905 issues. Most of
the coins offered in recent decades have been found
in gold shipments from Europe, and the average coin
is of MS-60 or MS-61 quality. Collectors of the day
did not save the circulation-strike issues; they preferred
Proof examples of the Philadelphia releases. The Smithsonian
collection is missing an example for this reason.
There have been just two of these coins certified
above MS-65, and one of them, an NGC MS-66 coin, was
sold at auction in 2004 for $21,275.
Key to Collecting: Regarding the availability
of Mint State coins, the 1906 is in a three-way tie,
mure or less, with the Philadelphia issues of 1002
and 1905. Importations of recent times have made this
an available date in Mint State, in contrast to decades
ago when they were hardly ever seen. Even so, the
1906 remains a key date in the context of later-date
Liberty Head double eagles.
Aspects of Striking: Striking varies, and
some have areas of lightness, about the same situation
as with the low mintage 1902 and 1906. Cherrypicking
is advised.
Die Data: 1906 four-digit date logotype
numerals fairly widely and evenly spaced. Ball of
9 and ball of 6 each distinctly separated from curve
on all impressions seen. Center of 0 leans slightly
right. 6 leans slightly right. Logotype used on all
dies for all three mints.
Proof Die Data and Notes:
Standard logotype. 1 (1906) about centered between
neck and dentils or ever so slightly below center.
The portrait is lightly polished in the die giving
a satiny rather than frosty appearance. The nose ouline
is incomplete, from overpohshing of the die.
Trompeter Specimen:
Left base of 1 slightly right of left edge of a dentil.
Number of Appearances:
159 (36%)
High Grade Condition Points: 119
Average Grade: EF-48
Auction Records:
(51) Proof: Auction '81; New England
7/80; Superior 1/80; Stack's 10/79; B&R 9/79,
4/79; Krcisberg/Cohcn 10 78; Paramount 9/78; ANA 1978;
Stack's 6/78; Superior 2/78; B&R 2/78; Paramount
11/77; Kreisberg/Cohen 2/ 15-16/77; Stack's 2/77;
B&R 2/77; Paramount 11/76; Stack's 10/76 (2);
ANA 1976; Stack's 3/76; GEN A 1975; Pine Tree 6/75.
2 75; Stack's 11/12/74; Superior 10/74; Ullmer 1974;
Scanlon 1973; Gilhousen 1973; Stack's 12/72, 12/71,
10/70; ANA 1968; ANA 1966; Stack's 2/65; ANA 1964
(2); ANA 1963; Wolfson 1962; ANA 1962; Melish 1956;
Baldenhofer 1955; Menjou 1950; Kern 1950; MC 1948;
Atwater 1946; WGC 1946; Bell 1944; Roach 1944; Dunham
1941; Ten Eyck 1922
(46) Unc:
New England 10/81; Stack's 9/81; Superior 6/81; NASCA
7/80; Stack's6/80; Coin Galleries 6/80; Stack's 2/80
(2); New England I 80; Stack's 12 79(2); Paramount
11/79; Superior 6/79; Paramount 4, 79; B&R 2/79;
New England 11/78, 7/78; Pine Tree 1/78; B&R 10/77;
RARCOA 5/77; B&R 5/77; New England 3/77; Stack's
2/77; Pine Tree 3/76; GEN A 1975; Stack's 9/75; ANA
1975; Pine Tree 6/75; RARCOA 4/75; Superior 2/75;
AAA 11/74; Stack's 6/74, 12/73; Scanlon 1973; Stack's
2/73; Kreisberg/Cohen 11/72; Stack's 2/72; ANA 1971
(2); Stack's 10/70; Merkin 10/69; Kreisberg/Cohen
11/68; Miles 1968; Bolt 1966; Bell 1963; Holmes 1960
(27) AU: Coin Galleries 9/81; ANA
1981; Auction '81; Stack's 6/81; Paramount 3/81; B&R
1/80; New England 11/79; Stack's 6/79; Superior 10/78;
Paramount 4/77, 1/77; GENA 1975; New England 11/75;
ANA 1975; Pine Tree 6/75; Stack's 12/74; Superior
10/74; ANA 1974; Stack's 3/73; Gilhousen 1973; Paramount
1/72,3/72, 11/69; ANA 1969; Stack's 1/69; Ward 1964;
FUN 1963
(19) EF: Stack's 6/80, 6/79, 2/79, 6/77,
4/76; Coin Galleries 11/75; AAA 9/75; Stack's 4/30/75;
Kreisberg/Cohen 11/70; Stack's 6/70, 1/70, 5/68, 12/67,
2/67; Kosoff 10/65; Stack's 2/65; Golden 1963; Cicero
I960 (2)
Comments: The 1906 Double Eagle is similar in overall
rarity to the 1901-S, 1902, and 1905-S. It is scarce
in average uncirculated (MS-60) condition and it is
very scarce in choice mint state. Gems are known,
but they are definitely rare. Proofs of 1906 are possibly
the most common of all the Liberty Head Double Eagle
proofs. The mintage of 94 proofs is far from the highest
in the series but for some reason unknown to me, the
proofs of 1906 have enjoyed a higher survival rate
than most other U.S. proof gold coins. A reasonable
estimate of the number of proofs still in existence
would be 40-50.
