Business Strike:

226,161 double eagles were coined at the Philadelphia Mint in 1888, the largest production figure at this facility during the 1880s. Many served in channels of commerce and others were used to make gold payments overseas. Back in 1982, when David W. Akers wrote his reference book on double eagles, he characterized the 1888 as "very scarce in full Mint State." Repeating a familiar refrain for the Liberty Head double eagle series, in subsequent years as European gold reserves were examined in detail, many previously unknown examples were uncovered, and the Mint State population surged from dozens to thousands. Current high-end estimates place the Mint State supply in excess of 3,500 pieces, although few have been certified above the MS-63 level.

Proof Strike:

As with all Proof Liberty double eagles, the mintage for the 1888 is a poor indicator of the rarity of survivors in today's market. Many examples from the mintage of 105 pieces (John W. Dannreuther, 2018, says 102 pieces) were undoubtedly melted or released into circulation as unsold, and current numismatic scholarship accounts for only 20 to 30 survivors in all grades. Such an estimate places the 1888 on par with the 1883, 1884 and 1887, although it is overshadowed by those better-known, Proof-only issues. In addition, several of the Proof 1888 double eagles extant are impounded in museum collections (including the specimens in the Smithsonian Institution and the American Numismatic Society).