One of the most eagerly sought issues among key date Liberty double eagles, the circulation strike 1885 has a mintage of just 751 coins. Since many of the survivors are noticeably prooflike in finish, these coins are most easily distinguished from their identically dated Proof counterparts by looking at the placement of the date. On circulation strikes, the date is a bit farther to the left than on the Proofs, with the first digit 8 centered under the letter B in the designer's initials J.B.L. on the truncation of the bust. Only 100 or so examples are believed extant in all grades, most of which are AU or Mint State, and all of which are highly desired by the legion of advanced double eagle collectors active in today's market.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the Winter 2022 Showcase Auction, where it realized $990,000.