Lot 2796
1926-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Rich golden sunset mint colors. This is one of the key issues to find in Mint State, a rarity of the Saint-Gaudens series of double eagles which seldom turns up for sale. Mintage dropped to 481,000 for the year, virtually all of which circulated. A few came out of Swiss banks after WWII, but not enough to go supply an ever-burgeoning demand. Turning to the rarity in Mint State 64 condition, this coin is virtually unobtainable finer. The color is spectacular, with warm apricot gold luster extensively coving the surface, the hue no doubt arising from the small amount of copper content in the alloy used to improve the coin's wearing capability. The strike is just as capable, indeed sharp, and we note no weakness on either side. There is small mark on the sun below the eagle, as well as a few others in the sun rays, but a glass is needed to see any others. One of the most sought-after double eagles in full Mint State 64 condition, and worthy of the finest set. When David Akers wrote about this issue in 1988, so long ago it seems ancient history, he stated "In every respect except one, the 1926-D is virtually identical in rarity to the 1925-S (The one area in which they differ is that the 1925-S is often seen in circulated condition whereas the 1926-D is nearly always seen only in Mint State.)" Today, the opinion has shifted in favor of the 1926-D. Pop 15; 7 finer; 5 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 9184) .
Estimated Value $55,000 - 60,000.
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| Realized $69,000 |
