LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

3363

1908-S $20 MS66 PCGS

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
<B>1908-S $20 MS66 PCGS.</B></I> Though San Francisco struck over 2 million double eagles in 1907, those coins were of the old Liberty design, and the West Coast facility did not strike any further twenty dollar gold pieces until the next year. By the time production began, the Congressional mandate to place IN GOD WE TRUST on the design was law, and the paltry mintage of 22,000 pieces consists entirely of With Motto coins.<BR> As one might imagine from the low production, the 1908-S is prized among the early lowered-relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle issues. Garrett and Guth (2006) call it "the first truly low-mintage" double eagle among the Arabic Numerals pieces, further noting that of the examples that appear in the combined certified population, all but a small fraction appear "in circulated or very low Mint State grades." Q. David Bowers (2004) notes that repatriation has made coins through Choice "much more available than they were prior to the 1980s." Still, the available population of Gem and better pieces remains small, and competition remains fierce for top-notch examples of what Bowers billed as a key issue.<BR> The MS66 representative offered here displays substantially stronger luster than the norm, though the wheat-gold surfaces show hints of this issue's typical satin. Similarly, the coin's strike is comparatively bold, particularly on the sharply defined torch hand. Though a touch of haze visits the obverse fields, the overall preservation and visual appeal are equally impressive. A remarkable opportunity to own a magnificent exemplar from this lowest-mintage With Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagle issue. Population: 8 in 66, 5 finer (11/07).<BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Augustus Saint-Gaudens<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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