Lot 2727
1920-S $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-62. Popular key date. Nice untoned example. For those collectors who are new to the Saint-Gaudens series of coins, the 1920-S is a rarely-seen double eagle. When found, most examples are in the AU58 to MS62 grade range with very few finer. This lovely MS62 is among the finest examples known and clearly merits its "62" grade. Few have been certified finer. The vibrant-gold color seen over each side is accented by an occasional hint of red that adds considerable visual appeal. Softly defined in a few areas, as almost always seen on 1920-S twenties, there are no marks that could be used as pedigree identifiers on this magnificent coin, nor any that should cause bidders to hesitate in their desire to own it. Pop 14; 24 finer; 10 in 63; 13 in 64; 1 in 65.
At the end of the First World War, there was a global period of sharp inflation, where even the winning combatants faced economic dislocations. Since high inflation had not been experienced in almost a generation in the industrialized nations, especially those that remained, like the U.S. on a gold standard, this period was seen as proof that the gold standard was a defense against inflation caused by excess paper money and banking credit issues. By 1920, the time of this rare $20 gold piece, there was a general belief that price stability would only return with the reestablishment of the gold standard, a conviction that would remain in place until the turmoil of the 1930s.
Estimated Value $50,000 - 55,000.
|
| |
| Realized $57,500 |
