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

3374

1912 $20 MS66 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:32,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1912 $20 MS66 PCGS
<B>1912 $20 MS66 PCGS.</B></I> The 1912 is the only double eagle issue of the year; none were struck at Denver or San Francisco, the first occurrence of a Philadelphia Mint-only twenty since 1886. It is also the first year with 48 obverse stars, reflecting the addition of New Mexico and Arizona into the Union. The issue is fairly available through MS63, but near-Gems become more difficult to locate, and Gems are quite elusive. MS66 pieces, a representative of which we offer here, are nearly unobtainable as evidenced by the PCGS/NGC population data; these services have certified only eight Premium Gems between them, with none finer (11/07).<BR> The 1912 is one of the better-produced dates of the Saint-Gaudens twenty dollar series. Gold specialist David Akers notes the following: "The 1912 is always very sharply struck, the most sharply struck of any of the Philadelphia Mint issues from 1907 to 1915. The luster is generally very good to excellent. The surfaces are usually frosty with an occasional specimen having a slightly satiny texture. Color is always very good and is usually a rich yellow-gold, sometimes with a light rose or orange tint. Top grade examples of the 1912 have more eye appeal than any other early Philadelphia Mint issues except the 1915."<BR> The example offered here largely fits within Akers' description of the "typical" 1912. The strike is powerful, as apparent in the facial features, the fingers, and the toes of Liberty, the panes on the Capitol building, and the feathers on the eagle's torso. The surfaces are frosty and emit glowing luster, and are impeccably preserved, revealing no abrasions worthy of individual mention. The color, while it imparts fantastic eye appeal to the coin, varies a bit from that described by Akers for the typical example. Both sides are apricot-gold with occasional tints of deeper orange and mint-green. This coin is sure to generate considerable enthusiasm and spirited bidding among aficionados of high-grade Saint-Gaudens double eagle coinage.<BR><I>From The Jacob Collection of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles.</B></I><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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