Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature US Coin Sale 1252 16-17 Feb 2017
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Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles
1926-D $20 AU58 PCGS. Despite the adequate mintage of 481,000 pieces, the 1926-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle was considered one of the rarest coins of the series in the 1940s. Most of the mintage was held in Mint or Treasury vaults as currency reserves and never released into circulation. Ultimately, the coins in government custody were melted after the Gold Recall of 1933, and stored as gold bars in the Fort Knox Bullion Repository. Fortunately, a small number of 1926-D twenties was exported to European destinations to settle accounts in foreign trade. These refugees were repatriated in later years, making the 1926-S somewhat more available than it was in the '40s. No large number of coins ever surfaced, however, and Roger W. Burdette estimates the surviving population at 600 examples in all grades today.
This attractive near-Mint specimen exhibits well-detailed design elements, with just a trace of friction on the high points of the devices. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces show only minor abrasions and retain almost all of their original mint luster. Eye appeal is outstanding.
1926-D $20 AU58 PCGS. Despite the adequate mintage of 481,000 pieces, the 1926-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle was considered one of the rarest coins of the series in the 1940s. Most of the mintage was held in Mint or Treasury vaults as currency reserves and never released into circulation. Ultimately, the coins in government custody were melted after the Gold Recall of 1933, and stored as gold bars in the Fort Knox Bullion Repository. Fortunately, a small number of 1926-D twenties was exported to European destinations to settle accounts in foreign trade. These refugees were repatriated in later years, making the 1926-S somewhat more available than it was in the '40s. No large number of coins ever surfaced, however, and Roger W. Burdette estimates the surviving population at 600 examples in all grades today.
This attractive near-Mint specimen exhibits well-detailed design elements, with just a trace of friction on the high points of the devices. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces show only minor abrasions and retain almost all of their original mint luster. Eye appeal is outstanding.