PCGS No: 8965

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 780,000
Proofs: 0

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Diameter: ±34 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10% 

Weight: ±516 grains (±33.4 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "S" (for San Francisco, California) below the eagle's tail on the reverse

Notes:
With a mintage of 780,000 coins, the 1872-S $20 Gold piece has the second lowest mintage of the Type II Double Eagles (those with "TWENTY D." on the reverse).  This date is readily available in all circulated grades, even including About Uncirculated.  Uncirculated 1872-S Double Eagles are very scarce and most examples seen have been heavily bagmarked or abraded.  To date, no Choice Uncirculated (MS-63) example has appeared on the market.  

The finest examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-62's.

Recent appearances:
PCGS MS-61.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 7854, illustrated, not sold

MS-60, Grease Stains.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5709, not illustrated, sold for $1,207.50 

MS-60.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5710, illustrated, sold for $1,782.50

AU-53.  Ex - I. Kleinman, November 13, 1971 - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 883, "187 in Dentils", not illustrated, sold for $805.00

AU-53.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 4136, not illustrated, sold for $529.00

Choice Very Fine. Ex- Stack's "The September Sale", September 12-13, 2000, Lot 1746, sold for $356.50

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service