Lot 1147
1920-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. Now offered for your collecting pleasure is one of the rarest and most popular key dates to the Saint Gaudens series. This lovely specimen has a very nice look to it and knowledge of the importance and rarity of the date/mint combination keeps drawing one's gaze, and rightly so as it is so handsome. Walter Breen in his Encycopedia (no. 7395) describes the known survivors as "mostly weakly struck" and Dave Bowers in his study on double eagles describes striking characteristics as "Usually somewhat lightly struck at the lower third of the obverse including the Capitol and the landscape. That being true, and these two fellows knew and know what they're talking about, the present specimen is far above the norm as it is quite well struck. We count five distinct toes on Miss Liberty's left foot and the Capitol building with its columns are clearly visible. The reverse is equally well struck with all the eagle's feathers well defined. The color is pale orange gold with slightly pinkish highlights over very clean surfaces, the whole presenting a most attractive appearance. When Breen published his study in 1988 he thought that the number of specimens extant was about 8 to 12. Bowers lists about 150 certified in all grades, though we can be sure that many of those were resubmissions to either or both of the two main services seeking the highest possible grade. It may be safe to assume that the number of survivors could be in the neighborhood of 80-100, a miniscule supply for one of the most popular series in all of American numismatics. Here's an opportunity to fill an important "hole" in your Saint Gaudens set. Population is 12, with 2 in 65 and one in MS-66 (PCGS # 9171) .
Estimated Value $110,000 - 130,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
