How many Saint-Gaudens double eagles are there?
How many Saint-Gaudens double eagles are there?
Many of the great rarities of the Saint-Gaudens series stem from its final years. Despite a mintage of almost 1.8 million pieces of the 1929 double eagle, it is estimated that fewer than 2,000 exist today, with all the rest melted by the government in the late 1930s.
What is the rarest double eagle?
1933
The exceptionally rare 1933 “Double Eagle” is now the most valuable coin ever to appear at auction, almost doubling the previous world record, according to Sotheby’s, which organized the sale. Featuring Liberty on one side, and an eagle in flight on the other, the coin has a face value of $20.
Why is the Double Eagle coin so valuable?
The Double Eagle coin was the last gold currency struck in the United States, reports Reuters. The newly sold specimen’s value stems from its status as the only legally privately owned 1933 Double Eagle known to survive today. The Double Eagle’s final design is widely lauded as one of the most beautiful of all time.
Can you own a 1933 double eagle?
Currently, with the exception of the one sold on July 30, 2002, 1933 double eagle coins cannot be the legal possession of any member of the public, as they were never issued and hence remain the property of the United States government.
Who was the Saint Gaudens double eagle named after?
Saint-Gaudens double eagle. The Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a twenty-dollar gold coin, or double eagle, produced by the United States Mint from 1907 to 1933. The coin is named after its designer, the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed the obverse and reverse. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of U.S. coins.
Is the Saint Gaudens coin a good investment?
The Saint-Gaudens design touts a reputation as one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage history. The coin is highly regarded and valued, making it an excellent addition to any precious metals holding.
Is the 1907 Saint Gaudens coin in lower relief?
However, it was soon deemed that the high-relief motif would render mass production of the coin infeasible, and later examples of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coin feature the lower relief that would be used for the balance of the series.
When did Saint Gaudens write to George Shaw?
On January 2, 1906, Saint-Gaudens wrote to Shaw, enquiring whether a high relief was practical on coins struck at the Mint.