The 1876-S is numismatically significant as the final Type Two double eagle from this mint. It is among the more common Type Two issues but, as with all dates of this design, it is scarce in properly graded MS63, very rare in MS64 and almost unheard-of in Gem.

I can well imagine that this coin was resubmitted many times in an attempt to garner an full MS64 grade. It is clearly much nicer than your average, run-of-the-mill MS63 as it very clean for the issue with just a few small, insignificant marks. The luster is frosty and unbroken while the color is a rich, delicate yellow-gold with rose overtones. The strike is sharp and the overall eye appeal is just exceptional for the issue.

There are two auction records for PCGS MS63+ 1876-S double eagles: this piece (see below) and another which brought $14,100 as Heritage 10/12: 6235.

I recently sold a slightly superior PCGS MS64 CAC approved example of this date for close to $50,000 to a very knowledgeable wholesaler. Only three 1876-S double eagles have been graded MS63+ by PCGS and as far as I can tell, two of them have been approved by CAC.

To my way of thinking, this exceptional coin would make a perfect Type Two type coin for nearly any serious double eagle collector.

CAC has approved two in 63+ with six finer.