1931

1908-S $20 MS66 PCGS. An important date in the Saint-G 1908-S

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:65,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
	1908-S $20 MS66 PCGS. An important date in the Saint-G 1908-S
<B>1908-S<$20> MS66 PCGS.</B></I> An important date in the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series, and this example is nearly the finest available quality. It is housed in a first-generation PCGS holder, and the quality is exceptional for the grade. This issue is the first San Francisco Mint issue of the design, and representative of the first year for the new sub-type with the addition of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse. There were no S-Mint examples of the No Motto type produced. Both sides are sharply detailed with pristine yellow-gold surfaces and frosty luster. Deeper orange toning is visible at the rims, and a few splashes of coppery toning are also evident. This is an aesthetically desirable example of an issue that is usually quite attractive. David Akers noted: "In top grade, this is one of the prettiest issues of the series."<BR> Akers further commented: "The 1908-S is a rare issue in Mint State grade. This is one of those relatively few Saint-Gaudens issues that is seen much more often in the circulated grades than in Mint State. Most Mint State specimens are rather low quality, i.e. in the MS-60 to 62 range. At the MS-63 level or above, this issue is really rare." The rarity of this issue is explained in part by the low mintage of just 22,000 coins. Aside from the various High Relief issues, this is the lowest production of any 20th century double eagle. Current population reports (5/06) suggest that this is one of nine similarly graded coins certified by PCGS, with four others in the higher MS67 grade. Our suspicion is that these 13 submissions represent less than 10 actual coins.