Saint Gaudens $20 Gold Coin (1907–1933): The Masterpiece of American Minting

The Saint Gaudens $20 Double Eagle is yet one of the rarest but most popular gold coins on the market to this date. These comprise gold pieces that were stamped at the U. S. Mint and were in circulation between the years 1907 and 1933. It was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful coins ever produced in the United States.

The circulation of the Saint Gaudens $20 gold coin was conceived out of President Theodore Roosevelt’s wish to improve the look of US coinage. President Roosevelt personally believed that Saint-Gaudens was the person who could aid him to this end.

St. Gaudens unfortunately met his death before the designs could be produced to be able to go into production. This gives the coin a high relief and while this design feature is hard to strike, U. S. Mint chief engraver Charles Barber made some modifications to it that would enable its striking with one blow.

Saint Gaudens $20 Coin-What Dealers Pay

Currently, a Saint-Gaudens $20 coin has a face value, but its market value highly depends on the year of the minting and the state in which the piece is found. For instance, a 1907 Saint-Gaudens that is in circulated condition may be priced at $ 1139 or nearly the value of an ounce of gold. An 1908-S, on the other hand, may be sold for over $8600 if it is in uncirculated condition. For those who own a Saint-Gaudens gold coin that looks a lot like new, they may consider submitting it to PCGS or NGC.

If you are willing to spend time taking your coin to be graded, then you will be in a very better position to determine the actual state of the coin and the current market price of the same. The grading process is very rigorous and each coin is graded based on even the slightest flaws present on the coin. Grading is comforting in a way, as not only is the condition of the coin checked, but the authenticity and metal content of the coin are also checked.

Also Read: The V-Nickel (1883-1913): The Coin That Made History

Saint Gaudens $20 Coin Value is Conditional

This way, you are free to approach your $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coin and get some idea of how your coin might be graded in the future. To begin with, there is no policy; all you have to do is choose a reference. For instance, in the conceptual art of the Statue of Liberty, there might be a possibility to focus on the torch in Lady Liberty’s hands during the first week. If the torch feels worn and looks eroded, then the coin can only be in a good state.

In case the torch is scratched slightly, then the coin might be in fine condition only few minor scratches. Should the torch still be distinguishable without smudging or discoloration, there may be a chance that the coin is in very fine condition. But each and every one of the details on a given coin will have to be looked at with a cerebral lens to determine how worn out it is. Secondly, the aspect of the general color and toning of the offered coin should also be taken into consideration.

Finding the Valuable Mintmarks

On the reverse, the mintmark is below the date. “D” is for Denver Mint. Thus, ‘S’ stands for the San Francisco Mint. The other facility to produce these coins was in Philadelphia, which did not use a mintmark. It is possible that the mentioned mintmarks can raise the value of the edition and you will surely want to know which country minted your coin.

Saint-Gaudens $20 Coins and Increasing Value

The Saint-Gaudens $20 Coin has a numismatic value based on the demand for gold and the supply of the coin. Owing to the fact that this particular coin encloses almost one troy ounce of gold it is highly vulnerable to shifts in the gold price. Third, this coin is among the most beautiful that has ever been released out of the U. S. Mint. Whilst coins from the above series can still be bought directly from the Mint, denominations with a higher face, better design, gold content, and age are likely to have their premiums continue to rise.

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