1928 $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle PCGS MS65

The 1928 Saint was the last issue of the popular series that was extensively shipped via international trade. In Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles, the author examines vault records that confirm approximately "half of the 1928 mintage [of 8,816,000] was released to Federal Reserve Banks for commercial distribution in the year of production."

This massive export of coins guaranteed that this issue would survive the Roosevelt Administration's gold recall of 1933. However, it also meant that the majority of the surviving coins would be subject to rough handling and storage, thus resulting in most extant specimens being low or midgrade Uncirculated. Virtually all of the 1928 Saints known today suffered at least two transatlantic crossings—plus myriad numbers of vault counts and bag movements. 

Nonetheless, due to the huge number of coins, there are thousands of gems available to collectors, making it an affordable issue. This offering from AUCM is a perfect example. PCGS has graded 11,365 as MS65 with 4,372 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $2,900.00.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed the iconic $20 Saint. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.