Lot 2328
1925-S. NGC graded MS-65. An untoned frosty mint example of this rare date. Like the 1924-S, the 1925-S also had its rarity ranking realigned since the mid-20th century after the emergence of a few small groups overseas. While both dates are popular with advanced collectors in this series, the edge in high grades clearly goes to the 1925-S. We have not offered a Gem for awhile. Typically well impressed for the issue, the devices rise boldly and prominently above the fields with solid reference definition at the face on Liberty, her knee, her toes, the gown folds, and, switching to the reverse, throughout the eagle's breast plumage and trailing wing feathers. There is much more we could write about the sharp devices, but this will suffice. As for the luster, this too is special: frosty in quality, and the surfaces are bathed in vivid original reddish-gold color. A shallow diagonal mark is present on Liberty's chest; also seen, a couple of similar diagonal ticks on the upper curve of one wing of the eagle. These are the only worthwhile pedigree markers. Belief is that only 275-330 1925-S $20s have survived the gold recall of the early-to-mid 1930s. Pop 2; 1 in 66; 1 in 67 (PCGS # 9182) .
1925 was a stellar year for the historian to point to. Harry Houdini, the magician, was at the height of his fame; there was a speculative Florida land boom (which crashed that year following an unexpected hurricane that devastated the region and all the false hopes for a quick profit).
Out in California, the state where this 1925-S double eagle originated, Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944), also called Sister Aimee, preached her version of the gospel in Los Angeles, California. An evangelist and media celebrity in the 1920s and 1930s, she founded the International Church of the Foursquare located in Echo Park. McPherson has been noted as a pioneer in the use of modern media, especially radio, which she drew upon through the growing appeal of popular entertainment in North America.
Meanwhile, in 1925 occurred the legendary Scopes Monkey Trial, when two big shot lawyers of the day went head to head to discover whether mankind really is descended from the apes. The trial in the sleepy little town of Dayton, Tennessee, made headlines around the world. In fact, it made quite a show during an otherwise broiling hot summer that year, with the religious William Jennings Bryan on one side fighting the State's case against the avowed atheist Clarence Darrow, lawyer for the defense. In the end, the "defendant," a school teacher by the name of John Scopes, was found guilty for teaching evolution to his high school students and fined $100 for breaking the law against doing such a vile thing. (The fine was later rescinded on a technicality.) As Wikipedia describes it: "The trial drew intense national publicity, with modernists pitted against traditionalists over the teaching of evolution in the schools and a Fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. The trial proved a critical turning point in the American creation-evolution controversy."
Estimated Value $80,000 - 90,000.
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