1866-S With Motto $20.00 PCGS MS61

The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the double eagle in 1866 but not before 120,000 examples were struck in San Francisco without the motto. This created an interesting transitional issue and the only other time that this occurred in the double eagle denomination is 1907 when both the Liberty Head and St. Gaudens design were made. The 1866-S With Motto double eagle is typically seen in EF40 to AU50 grades. It is scarce in the higher AU grades and rare in Uncirculated with an estimated dozen to dozen-and-a-half known. Almost all grade MS60 to MS61 and I have only seen two pieces higher than this (both in MS62).