Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles
1908 $20 No Motto, Wells Fargo Nevada, MS69 PCGS. Roger Burdette notes the 1908 No Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagles come in two distinct types, most easily recognized by having short or long rays on the obverse. The dies for the Short Rays coins were prepared using a master die from 1907 that had the first two digits of the date already impressed, but left the final numerals blank, to be punched into the working dies later. The Short Rays coins are the closest representation of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' original design concept seen on any double eagle after 1907. The Long Rays double eagle's reflect revisions of the design by Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The coin offered here is a magnificent MS69 example of the Short Rays type from the famous Wells Fargo Hoard.
The Wells Fargo Hoard was the largest hoard of United States gold coins ever discovered and consisted of 19,900 1908 No Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagles. The great majority of the coins were of the Short Rays type. Details are sketchy, but it appears the hoard was part of a World War I era international payment, probably sent to a Latin American destination. The coins were later acquired by a group of owners and stored in their original bags until the 1960s. By that time, the original canvas bags had deteriorated, so the coins were repackaged and stored in new bags of 500 coins each by the owners. Ron Gillio purchased the hoard in 1996, stored the coins at a Wells Fargo Bank in Nevada, and marketed them over the next three years. The Wells Fargo Hoard has become a byword with serious collectors for high technical quality and outstanding eye appeal.
The quality and visual appeal of the present coin stands out, even among its Wells Fargo Hoard counterparts. A stunning MS69 specimen, this piece exhibits sharply detailed design elements throughout, and the impeccably preserved orange-gold surfaces radiate vibrant mint luster on both sides. Overall eye appeal is simply incredible. This coin will find a home in the finest collection or Registry Set. Population: 10 in 69, 0 finer (10/16).
From The Fenn Family Collection, Part III.
1908 $20 No Motto, Wells Fargo Nevada, MS69 PCGS. Roger Burdette notes the 1908 No Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagles come in two distinct types, most easily recognized by having short or long rays on the obverse. The dies for the Short Rays coins were prepared using a master die from 1907 that had the first two digits of the date already impressed, but left the final numerals blank, to be punched into the working dies later. The Short Rays coins are the closest representation of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' original design concept seen on any double eagle after 1907. The Long Rays double eagle's reflect revisions of the design by Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The coin offered here is a magnificent MS69 example of the Short Rays type from the famous Wells Fargo Hoard.
The Wells Fargo Hoard was the largest hoard of United States gold coins ever discovered and consisted of 19,900 1908 No Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagles. The great majority of the coins were of the Short Rays type. Details are sketchy, but it appears the hoard was part of a World War I era international payment, probably sent to a Latin American destination. The coins were later acquired by a group of owners and stored in their original bags until the 1960s. By that time, the original canvas bags had deteriorated, so the coins were repackaged and stored in new bags of 500 coins each by the owners. Ron Gillio purchased the hoard in 1996, stored the coins at a Wells Fargo Bank in Nevada, and marketed them over the next three years. The Wells Fargo Hoard has become a byword with serious collectors for high technical quality and outstanding eye appeal.
The quality and visual appeal of the present coin stands out, even among its Wells Fargo Hoard counterparts. A stunning MS69 specimen, this piece exhibits sharply detailed design elements throughout, and the impeccably preserved orange-gold surfaces radiate vibrant mint luster on both sides. Overall eye appeal is simply incredible. This coin will find a home in the finest collection or Registry Set. Population: 10 in 69, 0 finer (10/16).
From The Fenn Family Collection, Part III.