LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 NOV Dallas, TX US Coin Signature #452  / 

2561

1926-D $20 MS63 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 100,000.00 USD
1926-D $20 MS63 PCGS
<B>1926-D $20 MS63 PCGS.</B></I> A substantial but not overlarge original mintage approaching a half-million pieces was accomplished using "many die pairs," according to Bowers' <I>Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins,</B></I> yielding different die states. Yet most of the original mintage was lost to subsequent melting, and today the issue stands as one of the keys to the Saint-Gaudens series. While a middling rarity in a series replete with several common issues and numerous fabulous rarities--and topped by the world's most expensive coin to date, the single legal-to-own 1933--the 1926-D is rarer than other elusive issues such as the 1926-S and 1925-S. An article by Bowers in the <I>Numismatic Sun</B></I> #5 (winter/spring 2005) estimated the surviving Mint State population at 250 to 400 pieces, commenting that "the 1926-D was once a legendary rarity, nearly in the category of the 1924-S at one time the ultra rarity in the double eagle series , and rarer than an 1804 silver dollar."<BR> The combined population data at NGC and PCGS suggest that Bowers' estimate may be on the generous side. Only 255 pieces, or <I>submission events, </B></I>are recorded at both NGC and PCGS combined. Assuming a small resubmission percentage of 30%, that would mean that only 196 distinct certified pieces exist, plus an unknown but, one would think, relatively smaller population of other examples. The average grade of survivors is 61.4 and 61.5 at NGC and PCGS, respectively, putting the present MS63 PCGS specimen toward the high end of certified examples. A few contact marks on each side and a small bit of struck-in die grease near the obverse mintmark account for the Select grade, but generous luster remains on the mellow golden-yellow surfaces, along with eye appeal aplenty. Population: 40 in 63, 23 finer (9/07).<BR><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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