1908-S $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle PCGS AU58

Purchase this coin and you will possess a major rarity in the Saint-Gaudens' double eagle series, for it is one of only 22,00 pieces struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1908. That mintage is so small because this is the 'With Motto' design revision legislated by Congress. It was not until later in the year that these coins were produced. In fact, research tells us that the first coinage was on September 10, 1908, and these were also the first Saint-Gaudens' designed double eagles to be struck at our famed Western mint.

PCGS has graded 120 examples as AU58 with 213 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $11,000.00 in AU58. The mintage of the 1908-S is the lowest—after the High Relief coins—of the entire series from 1907 to 1933. Most Saint-Gaudens double eagles did not circulate much. However, the 1908-S did circulate, for there are many circulated specimens available today, including this offering from AUCM. Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth, in their book Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins, determined that the average certified grade for this issue is AU.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed this beautiful coin series. Photo: wikimedia.org.