1909 $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle NGC MS61

Here’s a more affordable example of one of America’s most beautiful coins, the famous ‘Saint’ that was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. NGC has graded 291 as MS61 with 690 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $3,500.00 in MS61.

David Akers writes (in 1977/1988), “For years, the 1909 normal date was overshadowed by the popular 1909/8, but in the past decade or so the 1909 has come to be correctly recognized as the rarer of the two issues. Actually it is much more rare than the 1909/8 except possibly in gem condition where the two are of similar rarity.”

He continues, “The 1909 is always very sharply struck. Some specimens are frosty; others have a definite satiny texture .… Lustre is nearly always very good, especially on the satiny ones, and the color is typically a light to medium yellow or greenish yellow gold. There are also some examples that have a very appealing light to medium orange gold color.”

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who crafted the beautiful design on the double eagle. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.