Lot 3605
1922-S $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Beautiful golden luster. Always frosty for the issue, as seen here, the bright-gold color is nearly gem level with few bagmarks, none of which affect Liberty's graceful figure. Deficiency isn't in the cards, either, when it comes to this coin's detail, in fact, outstanding is the word to describe the striking detail on the main devices, with only a few shallow feathers on the eagle's breast and upper leg. In modern times many 1922-S double eagles have appeared on the auction scene, in contrast to the rarity of the variety in early times. Most are in Mint State 60 to 63 and baggy, however, and anything finer like this splendid MS64 remains a rarity. While somewhat over 1,000 examples are estimated to exist, the marketable supply is always limited, considering the increasing demand for Saint-Gaudens double eagles. It seems likely that most of the 1922-S coins were retained in the United States and melted in 1937. Thousands were exported. This was an ideal situation for the numismatists, as foreign banks held in reserve many coins that would have been destroyed had they remained in America. Pop 266; 12 finer, 10 in 65, 2 in 66 (PCGS # 9174) .
Estimated Value $5,000 - 5,500.
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| Realized $6,038 |
