LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2007 Jan (FUN) Heritage Signature Coin #422  / 

3835

1913 $20 PR68 NGC. An incredible example of early 20th

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:140,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 2.00 USD
1913 $20 PR68 NGC. An incredible example of early 20th
<B>1913 $20 PR68 NGC.</B></I> An incredible example of early 20th century coinage art, this breathtaking specimen proof is not only among the finest coins of the issue, it is certainly <I>among the Condition Census for the entire Saint-Gaudens type.</B></I> As of this writing (11/06), NGC has yet to ever assign a PR69 grade to any Saint-Gaudens double eagle. In PR68, that service has recognized a total of 14 coins with the PR68 grade, along with a single PR68 <img border='0' src='http://www.heritagecoins.com/images/star.gif' width=10 height=10> example, the latter a 1912-dated piece. This coin is tied with another PR68 piece as the finest for the issue at NGC. The highest-graded proof examples for the entire type at PCGS, excepting the Ultra High Relief pieces, are six PR67 coins, a total that includes no 1913-dated examples.<BR> The U.S. Mint was prone to what today looks like almost continuous experimentation with the surfaces of proof gold coins during the pre-World War I era from 1907 to 1915, and sometimes several different proof finishes were produced within a single year, varying from deep, dark matte or sandblast finishes to satiny "Roman gold" surfaces, as well as in differing degrees of color and fineness of granulation for the sandblast proofs. After experimenting with Roman or satin finish proof double eagles in 1909 and 1910, the Philadelphia Mint reverted from 1911 through 1915 to the matte proof surfaces, similar to the 1908 With Motto matte proof pieces. The matte proof coins, lacking brilliance and, to many, basic eye appeal, were popular in European mints of the time, but they were highly unpopular with many collectors. Today, with the separation of nearly a hundred years, it is difficult to entirely divorce the aesthetic appeal, or lack thereof, from these coins' undoubted rarity, desirability--and marketability. However, it is fair to say that history and today's aesthetic sensibilities are also much kinder to these pieces, and many collectors find them quite lovely and appealing. The recorded proof mintages peaked in 1910 at 167 pieces, dwindling to 100 for the 1911 matte proofs, to 74 in 1912, and to 58 for the 1913 matte proof examples. The only issue with a lower proof mintage is the last-year 1915, with a proof emission of but 50 pieces.<BR> The present piece has wonderfully consistent, fine-grained matte surfaces on both sides that are a light olive-gold color. The strike is essentially full, with no apparent weakness on any part of the Capitol building, Liberty's head, or any other small detail. Perusal with a strong lens reveals a short, straight line well-hidden in the short feathers at the rear of the eagle's wing that is likely mint-produced, as the matte surface continues uninterrupted through it. This is mentioned strictly as a future pedigree identifier, as it is completely undistracting and invisible without magnification.<BR> As mentioned previously, the present PR68 example is tied with another 1913 coin for finest of the issue, and <I> in toto</B></I> there are a bit more than a dozen PR68 examples certified for the entire Saint-Gaudens type at NGC, a figure that likely includes duplications. Step back for a moment from the statistics, and consider what that means in aesthetic terms. Proof gold coins are generally recognized as the most appealing form of gold coinage. The Saint-Gaudens design is usually acknowledged to be the most beautiful--or at least among the most beautiful--U.S. coinage designs. Finally, <I>here we have a coin that is officially recognized to be among the most beautiful and aesthetically flawless examples available in the numismatic marketplace.</B></I> One can almost hear the generations of legendary collectors-- Garrett, Eliasberg, Norweb, Pittman, Bass--who would be figuratively chomping at the bit to obtain so pristine and phenomenal an example as the present piece. It goes without saying that this piece, perfectly suited for the finest Registry or type set, will instantly become the centerpiece, the <I>pièce de résistance</B></I> in the collection of anyone sufficiently fortunate to acquire it.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot