Tough 1927-S Saint Gaudens Double Eagle NGC MS61

The 1927-S double eagle has a long history of being among the scarcest and most prized dates in the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series. No significant quantities were ever released to the Treasurer, and the vast majority of the more than 3 million-coin mintage was later melted. In Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles,  Roger Burdette writes:

“After World War II, scarce-date coins began to surface in the bullion and numismatic holdings of European banks and individual. Several issues once thought to be very rare were located; some such as 1922-S and 1926-S in large quantities. A few 1927-S double eagles appeared, but not enough to have a significant impact on the coin’s relative scarcity.”
Today, about 300 pieces are believed extant in all grades, most residing in the MS61 to MS63 grade range.

Listed at $38,400 in the CDN CPG and $39,500 in the NGC price guide.

Offered at $36,500

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(800) 257.3253
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Just Two Graded Higher – 1866 Motto Liberty Double Eagle PCGS MS62

The design of the double eagle was modified to include the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse in 1866, initiating the popular Type Two design. The San Francisco Mint struck both Type One and Type Two twenties that year, but all double eagles produced at the Philadelphia Mint were of the new Motto design.

While the business-strike mintage was 698,745 pieces, few high-quality examples were saved by contemporary collectors. Only the wealthiest 19th century collectors could afford to set aside lengthy date runs of twenty-dollar gold coins, and the well-heeled numismatists who did collect double eagles preferred to update their collections by purchasing proof examples from the Mint every year. The coins were seldom seen in circulation, as they could only be purchased from banks and bullion brokers at a premium and the general public had become accustomed to the more convenient paper money during the Civil War years. Much of the 1866 mintage was exported and melted. Some more coins were sent to the Western United States where they circulated heavily in the hard-money economy of that region. By the time numismatic interest in the denomination became widespread in the late 1930s the coins had been circulating for decades, suffering much wear and attrition along the way. The 1866 Liberty double eagle is not difficult to locate in circulated grades today, but Mint State examples are decidedly elusive. Most Uncirculated examples are concentrated in the MS60-MS61 grade range and finer coins are rare. The one offered here is highly lustrous, with attractive color and excellent eye appeal.  The PCGS population is only 11 with 2 graded higher.  

Listed at $39,600 in the CDN CPG and $35,000 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $36,650

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check.
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Gem Saint Rarity – 1924-D Saint Gaudens Double Eagle PCGS MS65

The last decade of Saint-Gaudens double eagle production can be classified broadly as having resulted in three distinct types of issues. The first are mass-produced and readily available Philadelphia issues struck from 1924 through 1928. Those five dates accounts for hundreds of thousands, if not millions of high-grade Saint-Gaudens twenty dollar gold pieces on the secondary market. The second group includes the scarce, heavily melted branch mint issues manufactured during that same span, including the 1924-D, 1924-S, 1925-D, 1925-S, 1926-D, 1926-S, 1927-D, and 1927-S. All of those issues can prove challenging, some more so than others (like the 1927-D), and none are nearly as accessible as their generally substantial mintages suggest. The third group combines both Philadelphia and branch mint issues. It includes the five final “collectible” Saint-Gaudens twenties struck from 1929 to 1932 plus the essentially unobtainable 1933.
The 1924-D ranks among the most accessible of those branch mint melt rarities. Roger Burdette notes that all but 13,229 of the 3 million coins struck were melted as part of the Gold Act of 1933, and 217 additional coins were melted for assay purposes. Burdette explains that a number of coins were shipped to Europe for use in international payments and writes: “A number of small hoards of the 1924-D were uncovered in Europe in the 1950s, 1960s, and even in the 1970s.” About 1,200 examples are believed to survive, nearly all of which are found in grades up to and including MS64 but rarely higher. The PCGS population is 10 with 6 graded higher.  

Listed at $168,000 in the CDN CPG and $175,000 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $161,000

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check.
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Tied for Highest Graded – 1868-S Liberty Eagle NGC AU58

This Western ten-dollar issue is unknown in Uncirculated condition, placing added demand on the few examples that have met the requirements for an AU58 assessment. Dave Bowers writes that “Most are VF or EF” but that enough survive in AU to satisfy advanced collectors with “generous budgets.” That may be true in lower AU grades, but hardly at this level. Even the most well-financed specialists will require patience in seeking a near-mint state representative. The NGC population is just 7 with none graded higher. Coincidentally, the PCGS population is also 7 with none higher.

Listed at $20,400 in the CDN CPG and $20,000 in the NGC price guide.

Offered at $15,100

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check.
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

Very Rare 1861 Liberty Double Eagle PCGS MS64

The 1861 Liberty double eagle is one of the most popular type coins among No Motto issues. Prior to the discovery of the S.S. Central America  and its hold of thousands of 1857-S and 1856-S double eagles, the 1861 was recognized as the most plentiful Type One issue in high grade. Nonetheless, near-Gem pieces such as this one, are conditionally scarce, and finer examples are rare. It exhibits vibrant luster, attractive color and a radiant cartwheel effect. The PCGS population is 13 with 8 graded higher.  

Listed at $44,000 in the CDN CPG and $50,000 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $44,400

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check.
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.