Lot 3177
1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High relief. NGC graded Proof 63. Old holder. A few marks on the rims. Nice light golden toning. A splendid specimen of the MCMVII $20 in Proof, this piece has been classified as a Proof 63 by NGC. There are one or two small marks on Liberty, one at the waist, another on her knee. Opinion has long been divided as to whether Proof High Reliefs were intentionally made, and, because of the uncertainty PCGS does not as of this writing (late August 2010) recognize them, nor did Dave Bowers in his A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins. However, Walter Breen in his Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Proof Coins not only recognized them, but gave guidelines for their identification. Such attributions seem to be of a recent years, as no citations have been found prior to numismatic catalogues of the 1960s. Neither Roger W. Burdette nor Q. David Bowers, both of whom have studied the subject closely, can find any original record.
That said, the piece is desirable, certainly choice and attractive, extremely well made, and (to borrow the Shakesperean meaning of the term), Forsooth, a treat for the eye! In fact, it has some of the best details we have seen on any MCMVII double eagle in recent times. Check the coin out, come to your own conclusions, and bid accordingly. It certainly is a choice. Pop 25; 63 finer.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 28,000.
The Estate of Winthrop A. Haviland, Jr.
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| Realized $28,750 |
