Mint Director Leach recalled that when "I laid upon his desk a sample of beautifully executed double eagles of the Saint-Gaudens design, he was most enthusiastic in his expressions of pleasure and satisfaction. "[7] Roosevelt had Mint Director George E. Roberts write to Saint-Gaudens, who replied, "I am extremely interested in the matter of the new designs of the coinage it will I assure you give me great pleasure to assist in the procuring of good work. [64], The obverse has appeared on American gold bullion coinage issued since 1986. Holders of gold coin, such as banks, refused to pay them out at par value, and they vanished from circulation. The obverse of Saint-Gaudens's design, showing Columbus coming ashore, was noncontroversial; his reverse, which featured a torch-bearing naked youth carrying wreaths to crown the victors, was attacked by the censoring postal agent, Anthony Comstock, as obscene. COIN & MEDAL PROGRAMS, History of U.S. Housed in All High Relief coins struck during 1907 met with objections from bankers, who said the coins could not be stacked. The highest mintage is a mere 167 pieces dated 1910. [44] In 1912, two more stars were added to the obverse to reflect the admission of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union. Our quotes come directly from the commodities exchange and are updated in real-time. The table below presents the reported mintages for the series. Mintages were never very high on any Saint-Gaudens double eagles. At one point during the designing process, Saint-Gaudens wrote to Roosevelt and said, "If you succeed in getting the best of the polite Mr. Barber or the others in charge, you will have done a greater work than putting through the Panama Canal. Here are the mintages and values for 1914 Saint-Gaudens double eagles: 1914 95,250, value is roughly 110% of one-ounce gold bullion value (about $2,115.97), 1914-D 453,000, value is roughly 110% of one-ounce gold bullion value (about $2,115.97), 1914-S 1,498,000, value is roughly 110% of one-ounce gold bullion value (about $2,115.97). [51], Prominent coin dealer and numismatic writer Q. David Bowers suggests that despite the ban on paying out gold, examples of the 1933 double eagle could have been obtained legally from Mint Cashier Powell in an exchange for earlier double eagles. The reverse is a side view of a flying eagle, seen slightly from below, with a rising Sun and its rays behind it, complementing the obverse design. Surely this is so when looking at the absolute key dates, including the 1907 Ultra High Relief, 1920-S, 1921, 1926-D, 1927-D, 1931-D, 1932-D, and of course the 1933 the latter becoming the most valuable coin ever when the single privately owned specimen sold in 2021 for more nearly $18.9 million. Market Analysis: Affordable coins at Bass II sale, Canadas mint uses transitional effigy on first coin of 2023, Auction firm offers third-of-its-kind error national bank note, West Point Mint producing Proof 2023-W gold American Eagles, Coin World Thought Leaders Series: Chris Arbutine of Belleair Coins. He warmly congratulated me on my success, and was most complimentary in his comments. [3] The Mint had offered only a small prize to the winner, and all invited artists (including St. Gaudens himself) refused to submit entries. [44], The only major variety of the series occurred in 1909, an overdate in which an 8 shows under the final nine in the date. As a result, despite being considered one of the most beautiful gold pieces ever minted, Saint-Gaudens full vision for the production of an ultra high relief coin was never realized. After several versions of the design for the double eagle proved too difficult to strike, Barber modified Saint-Gaudens's design, lowering the relief so the coin could be struck with only one blow. Saint-Gaudens' original version of the coin struck for circulation has higher relief than was practical. [47] The onset of the Depression in 1929 did not halt the minting of double eagles, but the coins were for the most part held in Treasury vaults, and few were released. previous, Kids User Agreement. Coins" series: US Mint records sales of 344,423 Proof 2015-W American silver dollars through April 12, 34 million in silver coins brought up from 1942 SS City of Cairo shipwreck, Theres a new silver physical bitcoin round featuring Leonardo Da Vincis portrait, Hendricksons build numismatic empire based on silver; Terranova pursues Colonial numismatics, Know your U.S. coins: Susan B. Anthony dollar. Pleasesign inorjointo share your thoughts on this story. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of U.S. coins. Shaw replied, "While we are making coins for the people of the United States, I think we should confine ourselves to the English language. He thought the coins of that era were unattractive and wanted them to instead embody our national identity and growing preeminence on the world stage. The ownership for these coins have been illegal since 1933. As a series, the Saint-Gaudens double eagle offers an impressive array of challenges for collectors. "[3] Over 12,000 of these "High Relief" pieces were struck and were released into circulation in 1907 and 1908. $645,000. If for any reason, you have a problem, please feel free to call us. [18] These patterns are today known as the "Ultra High Relief" or "Extra High Relief" pieces, and only about 20 are known[26]one sold in a 2005 auction for $2,990,000. We wouldnt be anything without our customers. The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle is widely viewed as one of the most beautiful U.S. coin designs in history. The 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle claims a smallish mintage of 180,000 pieces. Created by reknown sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens, a striking image of Liberty is portrayed holding an olive branch and lit torch. 1913 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: PCGS Coin of the Month, 1878 8 Tailfeathers Morgan Dollar, PCGS Coin of the Month, 1821 Capped Head Left Half Eagle, PCGS Coin of the Month, 1886-O Morgan Dollar: PCGS Coin of the Month, Two Young Numismatists Receive ANA Scholarships, Tapping Into Virtual Experiences: Numismatic Organizations Deliver, My Two Cents Worth: Uncle Sams Art Disease, PCGS Coin of the Week: 1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar, 1913 Barber Half Dollar: PCGS Coin of the Month. Therefore, St. Gaudens is named after its designer who designed the obverse(front) and reverse(back). The highest mintage coin was the 1928 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle at 8,816,000. The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle is widely viewed as one of the most beautiful U.S. coin designs in history. Coins with low figures are generally the scarcest and correspondingly carry the highest values. The legacy? "[34] Instead, Barber began work on his own low relief version of Saint-Gaudens's design.[35]. Make this your new home just in time for the holidays! Because its relief was reduced, it did not require as much metal flow to fill the design, and was more suitable for mass production and approximately 12,000 were made. After the gold recall, many of the Gold Double Eagles minted during the 1920s were melted, forever reducing the number of coins in existence. 5 Baths. Keep reading from our "Know Your U.S. The NGC Green Label posses a variety of collector-friendly attributes, including attractive eye appeal, a strong strike, impressive luster or great color. Langbord and her two sons, Roy Langbord and David Langbord (Israel Switts' heirs), asked the U.S. Mint to determine if the coins she found were genuine. In August 1907, Roosevelt nominated San Francisco Mint Superintendent Frank Leach as Director of the Mint; he took office on November 1, 1907. Its a coin that many claim to represent the epitome of U.S. coin design, a claim given to a coin most deserving, one that is often boasted as the most beautiful numismatic work ever struck by the United States Mint. The mint failed in its responsibility to clearly communicate to the President and artist its limitations and technical requirements for large-scale coinage. Price Below. The product pictured is the exact product you will receive. We highly value your opinion. While mintages are interesting to study for the series, they are less significant a factor in determining rarity than is usually the case. Mintage: 2,831,750. This is America, young and strong, in its ascendancy with a bright future before it. [15], Saint-Gaudens had intended a flying eagle design for the cent,[16] but developed it for the twenty-dollar piece after learning that by law, an eagle was not to appear on the cent. In 1996 government agents seized another 1933 double eagle from a British coin dealer entering the United States. Sort. [46], In 1916, minting of double eagles ceased, as bullion prices were rising because of World WarI, which also caused an influx of American gold coins from Europe. Saint-Gaudens's original design was reused, with two stars added next to the two which Barber had added in 1912, recognizing the admission of Alaska and Hawaii to the Union. Only a dozen or so examples of these dates are known to exist. [19] On the coin, Liberty holds a torch in one hand, representing enlightenment; an olive branch in the other, a symbol of peace. The United States Mint looks forward to the 21st century and a new era of modern coinage. Site, Coin The motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM is on the edge of the coin, allowing a cleaner design on the obverse and reverse. [37], In 2009, the Mint struck a similar piece in .999 gold, using Saint-Gaudens's original ultra high relief design for both sides of the coin, though modified to a 50-star obverse. Us, ALL The Mint chief engraver alleged that he could take no action with respect to the double eagle. But then there are the proofs and the proof is in the pudding when it comes to the rarity of these gorgeous, large gold coins in special proof state. Population of {$Population} coins at this grade level with {$GradedHigher} graded higher. [12] In May 1906, the sculptor wrote to Roosevelt that he had sent an assistant to Washington to obtain the technical details of the redesign, but "if you succeed in getting the best of the polite Mr. Barber or the others in charge, you will have done a greater work than putting through the Panama Canal. Mint officials could find no record of any issuance of the coins, and decided those in private hands must have been obtained illegally. [19] The edge bears the lettering "E Pluribus Unum". 1932 $20 MS66 PCGS. [55] The purchase price included $20 paid to the federal government to monetize a coin it contended had never been officially released. Both men wished to see a higher quality of U.S. coinage designs. "[18], The obverse of Saint-Gaudens's final design shows a female figure of Liberty, who also represents victory. [45] There was a public outcry about the omission of the motto, and what Breen describes as an "outraged and furious" Congress ordered the motto to appear. In all grades below Mint State, the 1925 Philadelphia Saint-Gaudens Double eagle sells either for melt (currently $1,631.46) or for a 3-5% premium. Todays Buy and Sell Price for The St Gaudens Double Eagle $20 gold coin. [30] On September 28, Hering finally appeared at the Mint with a new set of models, which Barber again quickly rejected. In January 2009, the United States Mint issued the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin. The United States of America, a bold experiment in liberty and representative democracy, had not only succeeded, it had come of age. Gross Weight: 33.346 grams The mintmark appears above the date between the second and third numbers. Uncertain where to find Hering, Roosevelt ordered the new Secretary of the Treasury, George Cortelyou, to have the Mint finalize the design and put the coin in circulation by September 1. The product pictured is the exact product you will receive. Medals, Treasury and [d], In response to Barber's letter, Preston wrote to Saint-Gaudens, "there are no presses anywhere, in mints or in use among silversmiths, which can bring up your proposed relief at a single stroke. [58] Judge Legrome D. Davis confirmed that jury verdict on August 29, 2012. SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES AND TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS ABOUT PRODUCTS. The mintages are in many cases not a true indication of relative rarity. One piece, however, wound up in the hands of King Farouk of Egypt, who even obtained a U.S. export license for the coin. Although the Saint-Gaudens' creation of designs for the $10 eagle and $20 double eagle was at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt. In sculpture, the term "high relief" is rather imprecise, but is typically used to describe reliefs where 50% or more of the notional volume of the subject projects from the background, something that almost never happens in coins. We stock an enormous inventory of silver coins from all of the major mints of the world. Surely this is so when looking at the absolute key dates, including the Facilities, Production The 1923 Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagle has a mintage of 566,000. Despite Saint-Gaudens artistic masterpiece, the minting process of the day was not conducive to high relief coins, which he and Roosevelt specifically desired. We will always do our best to accommodate you. We handle all of the major manufacturers of silver bars. coins.[41]. The lower relief variety of his coin struck later in that year and throughout the rest of the series was actually prepared by U.S. Chief Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber. [12] Shaw wrote to the sculptor on January 13, reproducing a copy of a letter from Roberts which warned, "the judgement of the authority of all countries is that modern coins must be of low relief", but as the President disagreed with Roberts's view, Saint-Gaudens could go ahead with a high-relief design. Sets, Commemorative [44] Saint-Gaudens was quite willing to omit the motto, as he felt the words detracted from the design elements. User Agreement. It was only after considerable discussion that he agreed to experiment. Within American numismatics, the mintage of a particular issue typically provides a strong indication of its rarity. Market Loss Policy | Over the next few years, the Secret Service seized a number of specimens, which were subsequently melted. [48], According to numismatic historian Roger Burdette, the first 1933 double eagles were struck on March 2, 1933. All rights reserved, Know what your Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagle gold coin is worth today, Washington, D.C. and U.S. ", COIN VALUES:Know what your Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagle gold coin is worth today. We will always do our best to accommodate you. The observe depicts Lady Liberty holding a staff and an olive branch as she walks from the sun. On December 28, 1933, Acting Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau ordered Americans to turn in all gold coins and gold certificates, with limited exceptions, receiving paper money in payment. This 1908 $20 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle has been certified as MS-66 by NGC, one of the top two coin grading services. previous, back to As with most Proof coins in this time period, they were struck in extremely low quantities and can be quite expensive. A young eagle flying during a sunrise is depicted on the reverse. [25] Experimental dies were made from the plaster model. The survival rate of this date in Proof is significantly lower. Barber, who had been Chief Engraver since 1879, felt that Saint-Gaudens overstated the case, and there was only one man capable of such coinage workBarber himself. These "checker" pieces were destroyed (except two placed in the Mint's coin collection) when it was discovered that the consent of Congress was needed to change the diameter of any coin. The existing stars were not adjusted in position; the two new ones were placed on the outcropping at the lower right. Are you concerned the precious metals train has left the station without you. & Facilities, Shop All We stock an enormous inventory of silver coins In 1905, President Roosevelt personally invited Saint-Gaudens to redesign American coinage, specifically U.S. gold pieces. The value of the High Relief coins puts most of them virtually out of reach of the average collector. Fineness: .900 The competition was open to the public, and the judging committee (which consisted of Saint-Gaudens, Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber, and commercial engraver Henry Mitchell) found no entry suitable. Liberty is leading the way with a torch in her front hand and an olive branch in the back hand. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! I suppose I shall be impeached for it by Congress, but I shall regard that as a very cheap payment! Theres an unmatched and resplendent beauty these coins have that no other numismatic treasure before or since has carried. Whether you're new to Precious Metals, or just new to APMEX, we're glad you are here. The Denver Mint would not strike Double Eagles in 1928, The highest mintages recorded are 8,816,000 for 1928; 4,323,500 for 1924; and 4,271,551 for the 1908 No Motto. The Langbord family filed suit seeking return of the coins and the case was still in litigation in 2009. Despite its mintage of more than 1.1 million pieces, the 1932 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is one of the rarest and most sought-after issues of the series. Though many dates are considered rare, none from 1914 are particularly rare. Finally, in December 1907, a fourth variation was produced, an even lower relief 34-mm version, with Arabic numerals. for Dads, American Women's History Coins & [5] Leech responded to the failed competition by directing Barber to prepare new designs for the dime, quarter dollar, and half dollar, resulting in the Barber coinage,[4] an issue which attracted considerable public dissatisfaction. Besides the small number of high relief coins, the lowest mintage occurred with the 1908-S Saint Gaudens Double Eagle at 22,000 pieces. We provide all of our customers with a refund, return and / or exchange on everything we sell including all bullion and certified coins. [50] Millions of gold coins were melted down by the Treasury in the following years. The small number of High Relief Double Eagle saint gaudens double eagle mintages 22,000 pieces [ 50 ] Millions of gold were! 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Chief engraver alleged that he agreed to experiment of the average collector numismatics, the obverse of Saint-Gaudens final... The holidays also represents victory survival rate of this date in Proof significantly! Only a dozen or so examples of these dates are considered rare, none from 1914 particularly. Obverse has appeared on American gold bullion coinage issued since 1986 branch in the following.... Way with a torch in her front hand and an olive branch as she from..., such as banks, refused to pay them out at par value, and they vanished from circulation 180,000! A smallish mintage of 180,000 pieces and technical requirements for large-scale coinage adjusted in position ; the two new were. Was the 1928 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle $ 20 gold coin his own low Relief version of the High coins... British coin dealer entering the United States Mint looks forward to the 21st century a... Beautiful of U.S. coins issuance of the coins, the mintage of a particular issue typically provides a strong of... Only a dozen or so examples of these `` High Relief coins, was. Cheap payment many dates are considered rare, none from 1914 are particularly rare the lower.... My success, and decided those in private hands must have been illegal since 1933 named its... In December 1907, a striking image of Liberty, who said the coins and the case still! Quotes come directly from the commodities exchange and are updated in real-time 20 Saint-Gaudens gold Double from! Flying during a sunrise is depicted on the reverse flying during a sunrise is depicted on the outcropping at lower! Eagle from a British coin dealer entering the United States lower Relief 34-mm version with. Circulation has higher Relief than was practical began work on his own Relief... Coin dealer entering the United States Mint issued the 2009 Ultra High Relief coins, and they vanished from.! It by Congress, but I shall regard that as a very cheap payment figures are generally the scarcest correspondingly! [ 25 ] Experimental dies were made from the commodities exchange and updated! [ 50 ] Millions of gold coins were melted down by the Treasury in the following years from all the. Artist its limitations and technical requirements for large-scale coinage impressive array of for! None from 1914 are particularly rare `` High Relief coins struck during 1907 met with objections from bankers, said!

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