1901-S

San Francisco delivered an enormous run of Liberty Head Half Eagles in 1901, with the official combined output for all 1901-S varieties standing at 3,648,000 pieces. That figure is one of the largest single-year totals the branch ever recorded for the denomination and reflects the surge in West Coast commerce as the Pacific gold trade matured. The catalog separates one notable die variety from the regular issue: the 1901-S/0 overdate, in which the final digit was punched over a previous 0, is listed as its own collectable variety. Each coin was struck on a planchet of 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, weighing 8.359 grams and measuring 21.6 millimeters across with a reeded edge. Christian Gobrecht's Coronet portrait, paired with the With Motto reverse adopted in 1866, governed the design through the final years of the series before the Indian Head replacement of 1908.

Authenticating a 1901-S begins with the small S mintmark seated below the eagle on the reverse. Inspect the punch under magnification for rounded serifs and the consistent positioning San Francisco used that year, since added or transplanted mintmarks rank as the most common deception aimed at Liberty half eagles. Weigh the coin against the 8.359 gram standard. Gold-plated base-metal forgeries typically fall short of that figure and ring with a dull tone rather than the bright sustain of true gold alloy. Strike quality on genuine pieces is generally pleasing but not razor sharp, with some softness on the upper hair curls and the eagle's neck feathers that is normal for the date. Take a careful look at the final digit of the date as well, because uncertainty about whether a piece is the standard issue or the overdate is a common cause of misattribution at the dealer table.

For modern collectors the regular 1901-S is one of the most accessible Liberty Head Half Eagles, with circulated examples and lower Mint State pieces in steady supply at modest premiums over melt. The grade ladder remains affordable through MS63, and even MS64 coins appear often enough to keep the date practical for type representation or date set building. Gems at MS65 and finer command stronger prices and reward patient hunting for original surfaces with warm coppery toning. Read the full Liberty Head Half Eagle series history.