Lot 3562
1931-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A well struck frosty gem specimen ablaze with delicate golden mint bloom colors. One of the finest graded of the date, and a rarity in all grades. Breen estimated two decades ago in his Encyclopedia that only 30-35 survived, but this number appears low to us now, since the combined NGC and PCGS Population Reports show more than 120 pieces graded in all grades. All the same, the coin presented is clearly one of the better specimens known, this radiant gem boasts luxurious golden frost around the periphery, enhanced by pleasing light rose shades in towards the centers. Minor handling marks but nothing to keep this from the rock-solid gem class it is in, as a strong glass will reveal. An opportunity for the advanced numismatist.
The rarity of the 1931-D should be readily evident after Akers referred to a group of fifteen to twenty examples that surfaced in the mid 1980s. While the coins in that "hoard" were sufficient to knock the 1931-D out of the same rarity class as the vaunted 1930-S, most of these graded no better than Choice MS63. Often the various grading services overshoot in their estimates or undershoot, but on this particular occasion they must have had their 20-20 spectacles focused, which resulted in their shooting squarely at the bull's eye and hitting it dead on target. A strong, quibble-free MS65, in other words. This leaves gemmier specimens like the one offered here as better condition rarities. The present naturally toned 1931-D $20 gold piece is among the most attractive of the late date issues we have offered in recent sales, primarily due to its spectacular aesthetic appeal! Pop 14; 3 finer in 66 (PCGS # 9193) .
Estimated Value $80,000 - 85,000.
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