Lot 2014
1926-D. PCGS graded MS-62. Nice golden toning. The attractive golden color competes with reddish gold subtleties for your attention; the surfaces exhibit a few normal field abrasions. Unlike some that are unevenly made, this ’26-D example sports eye-opening sharp striking definition. All minute detail fully evident in Liberty’s gown folds and hair and on the eagle where all breast feathers show. This is the only Denver Minted gold coin struck in 1926. All other denominations were made at either Philadelphia or San Francisco.
Among Saint-Gaudens double eagles the 1926-D is one of the more elusive of its era. In the context of the 1920s production figures, that for the 1926-D was considered small, just 481,000 pieces. It is likely that few were distributed to the public, perhaps 1,000 or so. Most were retained by banks or held in the Treasury vault for Gold Certificate backing. When the gold seizure took place in 1933, the majority of this issue was sent back to the Mint for melting in the mid to late 1930s. Today, the population is likely in the range of 300 to 450 pieces, making it a rarity. Years ago, just a handful were known, and much ink was spilled on extolling the fame of the Extra Rare 1926-D. Catalogs from the late 1940s and early 1950s are worth reading in this regard, since they transmit an appreciation for the Saint-Gaudens series back then, not only the 1926-D but for other rare dates as well. Pop 50; 86 finer (PCGS # 9184) .
Estimated Value $16,000 - 17,000.
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