Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 39

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$20 St. Gaudens 1925-groups

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2783		1925 $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-65. Untoned and frosty. Definitely in the Gem class by all measures, a coin that will drive bidders to out compete one another for its ownership. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,323
Lot 2784		1925 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A nice frosty example. The surfaces are radiant and each side has a nice veneer of peach-gold patina that whips and tosses as it alternates between lighter and more saturated shades. For 1925, a firm impact was always left by dies like the present one, a coin whose very convincing impression adds immeasurably to its advantage and glamour (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,898
Lot 2785		1925 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Rich golden-orange mint bloom color. The surfaces have gorgeous patina. A well struck MS64 that hugs the next grade category (gem) through means of imposing luster and nicely preserved surfaces. The devices, too, are outstanding, struck with force and energy by the dies insuring all design elements show boldly (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $675 - 725. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 2786		1925 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Old green holder. Some minor bagmarks, but still frosty and glowing (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 2787		1925 $20 St. Gaudens. ANACS graded MS-62. Frosty. 1925 is an affordable coin in this condition whose price rises and falls with the daily price of spot gold on the world markets (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $805
Lot 2788		1925 $20 St. Gaudens. ANACS graded MS-62. Lustrous and bright golden in color (PCGS # 9180) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $780
Lot 2789		1925-D $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-64. A hint of light tone and quite frosty. A few nicks at the base of the torch; some others, equally minor, below the eagle but hidden in the sun rays. In a year of high production at the Denver Mint, 2,938,500 double eagles were struck in 1925, one of the boom years of the Roaring Twenties. Some of these were released into general circulation. Most newly minted 1925-D double eagles were sent to Europe, and remained stored in banks, primarily in Switzerland and France. At one time, the 1925-D was considered a great rarity like the 1924-S, much more so than the 1920-S, 1930-S, 1931, and 1932. This was before many were discovered in the 1950s, followed by even larger numbers in Europe in the 1960s. As of this writing, the '25-D is regarded to be on a par in rarity with the 1924-D, although in finer Mint State grades (MS65 and better), it is slightly rarer, with only a dozen examples certified. The current example is a bold near-Gem that features choice color and lustrous, frosty surfaces that have a layer of sparkling mint originality gracing both sides. Pop 78; 8 finer; 7 in 65; 1 in 66. Estimated Value $16,000 - 18,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $16,100
Lot 2790		1925-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. A nice frosty coin. Scarce date. There are a few little bagmarks above and below Liberty's arm holding the branch, but only one or two marks on the eagle's wings and body, desirable for this key issue (which tends otherwise to be well abraded). Flowing mint brilliance like a shimmering waterfall cascades over each side of this rare D-mint coin. Pop 89; 129 in 64; 3 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9181) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2791		1925-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Nice golden toning on both sides. The extensive melting of 1925-S Saint-Gaudens $20 gold pieces causes it to be one of the few branch mint issues from this rarely seen in Mint condition. Even marginal quality Uncirculated pieces are seen far less often other S-mint counterparts from the 1920s. This frosty Mint State 63 example far excels the normally encountered certified coin in its class, being lustrous under a uniform display of pale orange toning. We note a hint of softness on the high point of Liberty's gown, her knee; and several characteristic die cracks occur in the outer areas, but surface marks are kept to a minimum for the '63 grade and the overall visual appeal is first-rate. Pop 68; 24 finer; 19 in 64; 2 in 65; 1 in 66; 1 in 67; 1 in 68. (PCGS # 9182) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2792		1925-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Mostly untoned. The heavily attrition suffered by the 1925-S Saint-Gaudens accounts for so few Mint States; it is one of the few branch mint issues from the 1920s that in point of fact circulated to any substantial degree. When offered, the grade is most apt to be Extremely Fine or About Uncirculated grades. Even marginal MS60-61 quality Uncirculated pieces are seen far less often than their lightly circulated counterparts in contrast to, say 1922-S, 1926-S. This Choice Mint State 63 example far excels what is normally offered for the '25-S, being lustrous under a uniform array of faint orange gold to bright gold patina. We note a touch of softness on the lower stars on the obverse, but surface marks are minimal for the assigned grade while the overall aesthetic appeal is far up the scale. Pop 68; 24 finer. (PCGS # 9182) . Estimated Value $18,000 - 20,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 2793		1925-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-62. Mostly untoned. If you are thinking of acquiring some examples of the rare mintmarked Saint-Gaudens double eagles from the 1920s in this sale, try this attractive 1925-S on for size. The fit should be perfect. The present choice coin is perhaps the rarest among the non-key dates (1920-S, 1921, and 1927-D are so expensive they almost require a co-signer to purchase), and, indeed, the 1925-S is well-known to this series. Differing from other issues of this type like the 1924-D, 1925-D, and 1926-S, the 1925-S is found most often circulated, a fact that makes the frosty BU a condition rarity as well. First-hand inspection doesn't lie: this important example is sharply struck on the main elements of the design. There is no evidence of die buckling around the peripheries that is sometimes seen. Light tawny-gold color and full, satiny luster shimmer across both sides in the presence of only the most trivial bagmarks. Graded conservatively, and a definite find for the specialist of 20th century gold. Pop 63; 92 finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 9182) . Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $12,650
Lot 2794		1925-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded AU-58. Very nice for the grade. Light golden toning. The 1925-S is one of a group of extensively melted branch mint Saints from this decade, and one of the few issues that did circulate to an appreciable degree. Most specimens are Extremely Fine or About Uncirculated, with a few marginal quality Uncirculated pieces being offered at much higher figures. This example is quite well struck on the high points, and has satin-like luster tinted warm orange-gold, and suffers only lightly the usual bagmarks and wispy hairlines. The effects of the choice appearance suggest a higher grade (PCGS # 9182) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 5,500. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,325
Lot 2795		1926 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Nice golden toning. A lovely near-gem with grand eye-appeal (PCGS # 9183) . Estimated Value $675 - 725. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $891
Lot 2796		1926-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Rich golden sunset mint colors. This is one of the key issues to find in Mint State, a rarity of the Saint-Gaudens series of double eagles which seldom turns up for sale. Mintage dropped to 481,000 for the year, virtually all of which circulated. A few came out of Swiss banks after WWII, but not enough to go supply an ever-burgeoning demand. Turning to the rarity in Mint State 64 condition, this coin is virtually unobtainable finer. The color is spectacular, with warm apricot gold luster extensively coving the surface, the hue no doubt arising from the small amount of copper content in the alloy used to improve the coin's wearing capability. The strike is just as capable, indeed sharp, and we note no weakness on either side. There is small mark on the sun below the eagle, as well as a few others in the sun rays, but a glass is needed to see any others. One of the most sought-after double eagles in full Mint State 64 condition, and worthy of the finest set. When David Akers wrote about this issue in 1988, so long ago it seems ancient history, he stated "In every respect except one, the 1926-D is virtually identical in rarity to the 1925-S (The one area in which they differ is that the 1925-S is often seen in circulated condition whereas the 1926-D is nearly always seen only in Mint State.)" Today, the opinion has shifted in favor of the 1926-D. Pop 15; 7 finer; 5 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9184) . Estimated Value $55,000 - 60,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $69,000
Lot 2797		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. Rich golden-orange color. Expertly produced, both sides are sharply detailed with full, vibrant, satiny luster. The color is a pleasing orange-gold shade, while the surfaces are silent on the subject of noteworthy abrasions. Conditionally scarce, this date is important, as such. Despite its status as the most frequently seen branch mint Double Eagle from the 1924-1926 years, the '26-S is still a scarce coin in an absolute sense. Akers (1988) estimates that only 150 to 200 pieces are extant -- an extremely limited assessment when viewed in light of the ever-growing cadre of buyers who have helped to make the Saint-Gaudens double eagle America's favorite gold coin. Most are Mint condition, although often grade no finer than Mint State 63. In 1908, Congress ordered that the motto IN GOD WE TRUST once again take its place on the double eagle. This ruling overturned an earlier decision by President Theodore Roosevelt, who believed that the use of the deity's name on circulating coinage was sacrilege. The Motto dates of the Saint-Gaudens series were made almost nonstop through 1933 with but a singe three-year interruption in yearly production from 1917 to 1919. Rarities in the series are the 1920-S, 1921, 1927-D, 1927-S, 1929, 1930-S, 1931, 1931-D and 1932, most examples of which were melted in the Mint after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued the Gold Recall Act in 1933. Semi key-date issues include the 1908-S, 1924-D, 1924-S, 1925-D, 1925-S, 1926-D and this 1926-S. Pop 22; 2 finer in 66. (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $24,000 - 26,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $29,900
Lot 2798		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. Lovely golden toning. Satiny smooth luster. Fortunately for collectors, the 1926-S is usually seen well struck. However, most have slightly beveled or rounded rims, most noticeably on the reverse. With flattering mint luster and a minimum number of wispy abrasions, this gold coin is every bit the designated grade, and then some. No deviation in the sharp relief seen, not even in the centers of the design. We're sure bidders would enjoy the situation if others in the room are wedged comfortably against the back of their chairs, nodding off sleepily, but that will definitely not be the case when bidding commences on this attractive 1926-S Saint, and therefore careful attention when bidding will be the order of the day. Pop 199; 22 finer; 20 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9185) . The 1926-S double eagle, once a formidable rarity, is still somewhat elusive. Just a thousand or more exist. Most are in Mint State, in grades such as MS62 and MS63. Higher grade coins are rare. Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $8,050
Lot 2799		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Rich golden-orange mint luster. Only a small number of the coins from this year are believed to be extant. The original mintage of more than 2 million pieces would tend to point in the opposite direction, and yet the Mint State population dwindles considerable above the 62-63 grade level. This outstanding MS64 displays a pleasing, nearly full strike, also displays exceptionally appealing medium golden-orange color, and has eye-appeal to spare. The glowing satiny luster envelopes everything, and if not flashy, it yet helps to accent the exquisitely preserved features. A few small contact marks are visible on the lower half of Liberty's leg, and on the body of the eagle, but all in all this is an attractive, minimally abraded example. Scarce (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,038
Lot 2800		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Lightly toned. Just a small number of the coins from this issue are extant, despite an original mintage of eclipsing 2 million pieces. Of great benefit to collectors seeking rarities, the Mint State population dwindles rapidly above the MS62-63 level. This well struck MS64 has a pleasing, nearly full strike, and includes medium golden-orange toning. The vitality of the satin luster is first-rate as well, yet not pretentious, and helps to confirm the enviable MS64 grade with well preserved features. A few small contact marks occur on Liberty's figure, but all in all this is an exemplary '26-S of an otherwise mass-melted issue. Very scarce (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,613
Lot 2801		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Olive and golden orange. The double eagle collector who has lead a wandering life often sees things differently after so many so-so coins come back to haunt him later on. Bidders might merely have passed this 1926-S by in the sale unnoticed but for our drawing your attention to its beautiful surfaces, its lovely color, and firm sharp strike. A resplendent specimen from top to bottom. Give it a bid. Pop 204; 20 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,325
Lot 2802		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Lightly toned. This coin seems to jump right out and bite you it is so fresh and glowing, so bold and attractive. Coin collectors used to take such a piece less seriously for some time, bidding half-heartedly at suctions of quite minor importance and generally showing a tendency to forget that the 1926-S was once (way back when) a great rarity. That was before a few dealer-lots were discovered in European bank vaults in the 1980s. Halt in your lot viewing for a second and then consider placing a bid. A coin with a wonderful potential. Pop 204; 20 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,613
Lot 2803		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely rich golden toning. Nice for the grade. Aesthetically tempting, as fine a looking MS63 with full strike as you are apt to see, and all the while saturated with bright orange bloom, little in the way of marks. The lethal combination of digs and impurity spots are nowhere to be found. Further, the devices were struck smack on the dot at the required force by the dies leaving all design elements plain and clear-cut. Wth not even an iota of weakness as found on some examples parading around in the same numerical grade, we are impressed by its beauty and originality (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,520
Lot 2804		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely golden toning on both sides. A tiny copper at 12:00 obverse. A remarkable coin that emits eye-catching gold color, with no deep marks or problems for the skeptic to discover. A swell impression was left by the recoil of the dies that struck most 1927 twenties; however, even so, we're pleased to see and tickled to report that this is an even more splendid coin than usual (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,530
Lot 2805		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. First generation holder. Lovely golden toning. Typically frosty for the 1927 date, the fresh golden surfaces are nearly pristine with few singularly distracting bagmarks. A gem (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,783
Lot 2806		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. Old green holder. Nice golden toning. Bright mint luster and attractive, almost pulsating golden hue. A gem (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,610
Lot 2807		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Intensely lustrous with a hint of natural rose toning. Boldly struck for the issue (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $874
Lot 2808		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. A very choice golden-orange beauty with top-quality eye-appeal in its grade (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 2809		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. A nice yellow gold piece with notable luster throughout. This is a strongly struck 1927 Saint, with nice detail to all the important high points (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $920
Lot 2810		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Golden-orange mint luster. A lustrous and careful preserved 1927 that has a few very light bagmarks. The devices were struck with much power by the dies and show convincing design elements throughout (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $840
Lot 2811		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. ANACS graded MS-61. Lustrous (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $780
Lot 2812		1927-S $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-62. Popular scarce date. Untoned. Throw away the mintage figures on this date, as virtually all were melted. Perhaps 75 are known today, Breen estimated only 15, but that seems too low with today's Population Reports helping to expand our knowledge. This coin has mint fresh luster and color, is well struck, although a bit weak at the extreme edge (common on San Francisco double eagles of this period). An impressive Mint State 62 coin and solid for the grade. A coin that will please most collectors for its well preserved surfaces and choice originality. As we've noted in the past, the 1927-S twenty is one of the key dates in the Saint-Gaudens series of double eagles. Many were exported; others were melted; collectors find auction appearances of the date few and far between. So pay heed and give it a strong bid. Pop 24; 44 finer. Estimated Value $29,000 - 31,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $36,800
Lot 2813		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Honey color luster, A nice dusting of luster covers the surface. What's more, excellent sharpness on all devices (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 2814		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Golden-orange mint color. This, like several choce MS64 Saints in the group, is a deliciously lustrous coin whose warm features are alive with rich mint frost. The fully detailed surfaces are knocking on the door of an even higher grade. In addition, crisp detail on all devices makes for a remarkable coin (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 2815		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck with very clean surfaces. A gem. Color is mostly bright-gold in shade, but flickers of greenish-yellow iridescence can be found near the rim (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $700 - 750. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,208
Lot 2816		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-63. Untoned. Frosty throughout with a minor scuff in the luster at Liberty's lower blouse. Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $863
Lot 2817		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Swirling rivers of golden frost from edge to edge explain why the 1928 issue is well-liked in the community of $20 gold coin collectors; only minor interruptions in the luster left of Liberty account for the modest grade (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $650 - 700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $870
Lot 2818		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-62. Fully original despite a few light abrasions, as befits a coin in which the surfaces are awash in rich fresh golden color. Nicely defined on all devices (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $780
Lot 2819		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-62. Lovely golden toning (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $625 - 650. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $780
Lot 2820		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. ANACS graded MS-61. Nice golden color (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $600 - 625. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $776
Lot 2821		1929 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ PQ. Frosty and nice light toning. As is consistent with this scarce issue, the devices are razor-sharp in definition while the lustrous fields are minimally abraded, with outstanding warm golden frost. Crisp bloom from the dies like this makes for a very appealing 1929 twenty whose reputation among American coin collectors is as timeless and rock solid as the Kohinoor Diamond! Very high end for the grade. Pop 79; 24 finer; 19 in 65; 5 in 66. (PCGS # 9190) . Estimated Value $38,000 - 45,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $66,125
Lot 2822		1930-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. Well struck with lovely golden toning. A popular key date. There do not appear to be many abrasions that would bar this frosty double eagle from a near-Gem grade, which is why we call attention to the fact by issuing our seldom-used "Premium Quality" designation. In addition to smooth features, both sides display a precision in the strike that verifies the 1930-S as one of the more painstakingly struck S-mint dates in the Saint-Gaudens series. Fully pulsating with lovely orange-gold color, the surfaces are free of bothersome striking incompleteness and show only slight signs of contact. A heavily melted issue, the 1930-S is rarer than the 1929, 1931, 1931-D, and 1932 from the standpoint of total number of coins known. A mere 74,000 pieces struck. It seems that only the legendary 1927-D is significantly more elusive as an Uncirculated coin. PCGS number 21895689. Pop 15; 14 finer; 9 in 65; 5 in 66. (PCGS # 9191) . Estimated Value $120,000 - 135,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $172,500
Lot 2823		1931 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. A popular key date. Well struck with light golden toning. A lustrous example that has rich frosty golden luster. A great deal of strength in the design is seen at Liberty and the eagle on most of this P-mint release, and here to it is probably that the dies were spaced at exactly the right distance apart to prevent any weak metal flow in the key areas. The designs are very strong for the date, the luster fresh and glowing. Pop 8; 65 finer. (PCGS # 9192) . Pressure in the international money markets in 1931 first caused immense amounts of gold to flow out of American banks into European and domestic hoards. This resulted in bank runs and panic everywhere, but centered (at least in 1931) in London, Austria, and Germany, where each government in its turn "went off gold" as the quaint saying has it. Estimated Value $55,000 - 60,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $74,750
Lot 2824		1931-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-62 PQ. Well struck with lovely shades of gold and light green toning. A few light abrasions in the blouse, on the lower part of the torch, and in the nearby field. From top to bottom, from stem to stern, an beautiful specimen that shows impressive mint brilliance over spotless surfaces. What gladdens us most is to see a crisp rather than a dullish, smooth impression was left by the pressure of the dies that struck this sharp '31-D. A very scarce date. PCGS holder 50195814. Pop 14; 71 finer. (PCGS # 9193) . Estimated Value $40,000 - 45,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $63,250
Lot 2825		1932 $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-65. A lovely example of the very rare date. A tiny mark in the left obverse field. A date missing in most collections. In terms of condition rarity, the 1920-S and 1921 are identified as the two most important condition rarities in the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series. However, the 1932 is far more elusive from the perspective of total number of examples known, with only as few as 70 pieces believed extant in various grades. The 1932 tends to be carefully preserved with a much higher proportion of Gems known versus the total census than the other late-date keys of the series. This is a gorgeous, fully frosted Gem that reveals brilliant yellow-gold surfaces blending to peach-orange plus a faint overlay of reddish patina. The only marks of distinction are a couple on Liberty's left blouse (from the viewer's angle), with a few other marks, equally insignificant, on the eagle's tail. Pop 10; 5 in 66. Rumblings of a worldwide monetary crisis were first felt in 1928-29 as stock markets began to plunge. But the real panic began in the summer of 1931 when first Austria, then Germany, followed by Great Britain "defaulted" on their creditors by "going off the gold standard." This international bankruptcy left American institutions to face the rising onslaught alone. In 1932, immediately following the Presidential election in November, a flood of bank withdrawals of gold hit the Treasury department as well as the Federal Reserve banks. Few knew it at the time, but America's descent into the abyss of national bankruptcy was only weeks away. This 1932 twenty is one of the last permissible dates in the series to own (the 1933 twenties are all subject to confiscation, with the sole exception of a single coin in collector's hands). Estimated Value $90,000 - 110,000. Ex Dr. Hesselgesser. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $115,000
Lot 2826		Popular 11 Piece Gold U.S. Type Set. Consists of: $20 Liberty, $20 St. Gaudens, $10 Liberty, $10 Indian, $5 Liberty, $5 Indian, $3.00 (1857), $2.50, $2.50 Indian, $1 type 1, $1 type 2. All housed in a Capital plastic holder. Estimated Value $4,500 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $5,290