Lot 1750
1932 $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-65. A gorgeous gem specimen loaded with glittering mint luster. Captivating golden toning further adds to its eye appeal. A classic rarity within the series. This superlative Gem astounds with its sharp beauty, and character that causes it to project extraordinary visceral impact into the eyes of any collector viewing it. From the golden yellow frost with its pale pinkish undertone, to the near-absence of tiny abrasions in the luster, all the evidence points to a first-rate example, the consummate MS65 if we may be so straightforward as to avow the obvious. In short, a specimen whose illustrious quality is firmly set by the numerical grade.
This is the last affordable date in the series. When the time came for President Roosevelt to issue his executive order seizing the gold in the banks in early 1933, the inventory of 1932-dated double eagles and other gold coins that were still being held as backing for currency and checking deposits were locked up, never again to see the light of day. Well, we've fudged there slightly; perhaps a few would see the light of day, since coin collectors probably are unaware of the fact, but tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of double eagles were exported AFTER the gold seizure order in 1933. The few surviving pieces dated 1932 probably trace to European bank hoards which began to be distributed in dribs and drabs in the 1960s to 1980s, brought home by American gold importers. A highly respected date in the series, perhaps fewer than a hundred to a hundred and fifty pieces remain from the 1932 double eagle mintage. Pop 14; 14 finer, 11 in 66, 3 in 66* (PCGS # 9194) .
Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000.
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| Realized $80,500 |
