Lot 4489
1931-D $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. PCGS holder 10843344. A lovely rose-gold toned example of this rare date. Very choice for the grade. One of the finest offered of the date, to be precise, and desirable in all grades. Breen estimated in his Encyclopedia that as few as 30-35 survived, but this number appears low now (the encyclopedia notes were taken in the 1970s and updated for publication in 1988) since the combined NGC and PCGS Population Reports surpasses that in the number of pieces graded in all grades. All the same, this is certainly one of the better ones known, and a lustrous borderline-gem boasting full luster around the periphery and throughout the devices. Minor handling marks but not enough to cause bidders as a class to turn away; indeed, a strong glass will reveal only a couple of noticeable bagmarks on the eagle's wing.
The rarity of this D-mint issue 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 higher than MS63. This leaves choicer specimens like the one offered here as better condition rarities. The present 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 38; 19 finer, 16 in 65, 3 in 66 (PCGS # 9193) .
Estimated Value $90,000 - 100,000.
Ohringer Family Trust Holdings.
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