3620

1925-S $20 MS65 PCGS. Despite a mintage approaching 4 1925-S[$20] MS65 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:2,600.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1925-S $20 MS65 PCGS. Despite a mintage approaching 4 1925-S[$20] MS65 PCGS.
<B>1925-S<$20> MS65 PCGS.</B></I> Despite a mintage approaching 4 million pieces, the third highest in the entire Saint-Gaudens series, this date is a great rarity both in absolute terms and conditionally in high grades, and proof that mintage figures are irrelevant in discussions of Mint State Saint-Gaudens coinage. Akers' reference says, "In terms of overall rarity, it is not as rare as the 1924-S, 1925-D, or 1926-D but it is far more rare than any of the three in strictly Uncirculated condition." Q. David Bowers' recently issued double eagle volume states simply, "The 1925-S is a sleeper. The large mintage belies the rarity of this coin. The population of this coin is about evenly divided between high grade worn pieces and lower level Mint State examples, although some notable Gems exist ..." While several dozen examples exist in the lower Mint State grades up through MS63, the number of survivors drops rapidly in MS64 and plummets in MS65 and higher. About 20 specimens are known at both services in MS64, with two each in MS65, MS66, MS67. Incredibly, one MS68 example is known. While a few examples of the 1925-S saw brief circulation, most simply went to bank vaults, from whence they were melted sometime after 1933. This date was not found in any of the European hoards that account for survivors of some rare issues. This example shows breathtaking eye appeal, minimal marks, and few distractions worthy of quibbling over. The color is a lovely, mellow golden-honey, with tinges of green near the borders. The luster is superb. Even under a glass, only a few marks on the knee are noted, with slight strike weakness only at the utmost obverse periphery, while the strike is bold and pleasing elsewhere. On the reverse a short, shallow scrape is well hidden on one of the eagle's tail feathers. But these trivial marks do nothing to detract from the superb eye appeal of this exacting, no-nonsense, rare Gem coin. This is the only specimen graded MS65 at PCGS, with three coins finer (12/05).