Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 91

June 2016 Pre-Long Beach

Midwestern Family Collection - $20 St. Gaudens

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1648		1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High Relief, Wire Rim PCGS MS65. PCGS graded MS-65. A subtle touch of golden toning graces both sides of this beautiful gem example. This has always been one of the favorite coins, indeed if not the favorite coin stuck by our mints. The devices are exceptionally beautiful, with Liberty striding toward the viewer while the eagle on the reverse seems to fly right off the coin. The satiny luster exudes off the fields, and the glory rays surround the central devices, offering both focus to the centers as well as protection of the fields. Scarce this nice and rare any finer, this example resides in the top 3 or 4 percent of those seen today from the original mintage of 11,250 pieces, with finer coins few and far between. A perfect selection for the advanced specialist who desires quality, eye appeal and historic numismatics (PCGS # 9135) Estimated Value $35,000-UP Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $41,125
Lot 1649		1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High Relief, Flat Rim PCGS MS65. PCGS graded MS-65+ PQ. CAC Approved. The 1907 High Relief, Flat Rim is considered to be two to three times as rare as the Wire Rim style of High Relief. As many collectors desire an example of each style of High Relief, these Flat Rim coins bring a modest premium, but nothing compared to the overall rarity when compared to the Wire Rim coins. The surfaces exhibit the classic deep dish fields with the devices standing tall above the center of the coin. Liberty appears to literally walk right off the obverse. Similar on the reverse the elegant flying eagle has such exceptional depth that he appears to be flying above the coin. The total number known is likely around 1,000 to 1,500 pieces given the numbers graded by PCGS, although they estimate a higher number of 2,500 with the majority being mint state. Approximately 20 percent of those known do exhibit circulation evidence. This splendid gem is worthy of the finest collection, and will be a stunning addition to even the most advanced set. Very choice in every regard. These majestic coins were the result President "Teddy" Roosevelt demanding improvements to our coinage. He discussed with the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens as early as 1905 and pleaded with him to assist in designing new coins, to replace the "atrociously hideous" coinage then current. Saint-Gaudens had tried to work with the Philadelphia Mint before, but always found the institution unwelcoming to outsiders. At last Saint-Gaudens had a powerful ally, the President of the United States! What could possibly go wrong? Well we all know that story. Soon Saint-Gaudens was producing models of incredible coins, with three dimensional relief that simply could not be struck up in a single blow from the dies by even the strongest coining presses. These High Relief coins required three to five blows from the dies before they were struck up adequately, a fact that simply could not be accomplished with any degree of speed. Each coin required examination, multiple strikes and time, time which production schedules simply did not allow. Meanwhile Saint-Gaudens passed away from a long standing illness and seeing his coinage come to fruition was left to his able assistant Henry Herring. It was through Herring's efforts that these High Relief coins were produced. After approximately 11,250 pieces were created, coinage of the High Relief style was halted, and soon a greatly reduced, modified and less glorious 1907 double eagle was being struck--each just one time--and ready for the mass production that the Philadelphia Mint needed to achieve. Hence these High Relief coins stand as a testament to the artistic desires of a great sculptor and his assistant, who went against the Mint officials and produced what is arguably our most handsome coin. Pop 9; 60 finer (PCGS # 9136) Estimated Value $40,000-UP Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $55,225
Lot 1650		1907 $20 St. Gaudens. Flat Relief PCGS MS66. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely rich golden toning. This is the first style released after the High Relief designs, with not nearly the incredible three dimensional devices, but a far more practicle and useful example of a coin that could be mass produced for circulation. Rarely are these 1907 double eagles found so well preserved, and a date which is quite difficult to obtain any finer. Pop 383; 35 finer (PCGS # 9141) Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000 Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $14,100
Lot 1651		1908 $20 St. Gaudens. No Motto. Cleaning. Light golden toning and a decent coin overall (PCGS # 9142) Estimated Value $900 - 950 Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,263
Lot 1652		1908 $20 St. Gaudens. Motto PCGS MS65. PCGS graded MS-65+. CAC Approved. Quite lustrous and very attractive. This style was not saved in large numbers nor did these turn up in any large hoards, hence gems like this are few and far between especially so with the "+" grade and CAC approval! If you want a high quality, high appeal specimen for your collection, then look no further than this amazing 1908 With Motto double eagle.Pop 2; 13 finer, 11 in 66, 1 in 66+, 1 in 67 (PCGS # 9147) Estimated Value $10,000-UP Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $21,150
Lot 1653		1909 $20 St. Gaudens PCGS MS64. PCGS graded MS-64. A nice untoned example. This is one of those dates that is obtainable at this grade level but costs considerably more to acquire that next notch finer, as so few exist appreciably better. Hence this example is a solid blend of quality and value that any numismatist will appreciate. Pop 239; 32 finer (PCGS # 9150) Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000 Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $19,388
Lot 1654		1912 $20 St. Gaudens PCGS MS63. PCGS graded MS-63. Lightly toned and quite attractive (PCGS # 9160) Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,000 Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,350