1908-D $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, No Motto PCGS MS63

Here’s an early issue of the beautiful double eagle that was designed by renowned sculptor-medalist Augustus Saint-Gaudens—with inspiration from and in collaboration with President Theodore Roosevelt. It has come to be called the 'Saint' in his honor.

It was only in 1907 and part of 1908 that the ‘Saint’ was produced without the Motto ‘In God We Trust.’ That was because President Roosevelt held that it was blasphemous to place the name of God upon coins, which paid for ‘sinful’ goods and services. However, Congress disagreed with the president and had the Motto placed upon the coin later in 1908. PCGS has graded 1,721 as MS63 with 2,017 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $3,500.00 in MS63.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who created the beautiful design on this coin. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.