Lot 3200
1908-D $20 St. Gaudens. With motto. PCGS graded MS-65. Light golden toning. This marvelous D-mint Double Eagle, due to its supreme beauty and Gem 65 grade, will stretch out to find bidders far into the corners of the nation. The sparkling gold luster flares into heavy frostiness in all areas. That covers the luster. It appears to us that all minute detail is fully evident on this bold coin as well, with sharp devices including even the smallest element of the design. Pop 310; 28 finer (PCGS # 9148) .
Historic note: Omitting the customary motto IN GOD WE TRUST was not a trivial matter for President Theodore Roosevelt. When the first Double Eagles were released under his diktat in early November 1907, the omission was noticed immediately. Within a few days, angry letters, telegrams, and petitions peppered the President, Congress, Treasury and the Mint Bureau. Legislation requiring the motto be returned to the coins easily passed Congress (frightened for their jobs and facing an election that November?) and was signed on May 17, 1908. Social power having trumped a high government official once again, after June 17, all the new design gold coins carried the required inscription.
Estimated Value $4,500 - 4,700.
|
| |
| Realized $4,140 |
