Here’s a dramatic orange-gold example of Saint-Gaudens’ masterwork that would be a great addition to your collection. After the 1916-S was produced, there were no twenties produced at any of the U.S. mints again until 1920, due to trade embargoes and other wartime restrictions. PCGS has graded 1,249 as MS65 with 262 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $5,000 in MS65.

Gold specialist David Akers writes, "The 1916-S seems to have been minted to a very high standard of quality. The strike is almost always very sharp and the surfaces...do not have the metal flow problems encountered on many examples of the 1915-S. Lustre is always very good to excellent and the color is usually a very appealing rich greenish gold, sometimes with a light orange or coppery tint. High-grade examples of this issue invariably have great 'eye appeal.' "

Saint-Gaudens’ self-portrait drawn in 1867. Image: Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, NH.