Grading $20 St. Gaudens Gold Coins

The highly esteemed St. Gaudens Double Eagle $20 gold coins are well known for their beauty and worth. With a few exceptions, the coins in this series (1907 to 1933) are usually available in mint state for various dates. Mint state refers to the original condition of a coin that has not been put to circulation. A complete St. Gaudens collection is any numismatist’s dream. However, acquiring the whole series (sorted by mint and date) is a costly affair.

Until the legislation mandating the use of the motto ‘In God We Trust’ was passed in 1908, several Double Eagles were minted without these inscriptions. For a collector, the coins with and without the motto can serve as two types of coins from the series. The Double Eagles featured as many stars on its obverse, as there were states in the USA. In 1912, Arizona and Mexico were included in the Federal States. Therefore, a sub-classification can be based upon the 46 stars (from the 1907 to 1911 series) or 48 stars (from the 1912 series onwards) on the frontal face of the coin.

The St. Gaudens $20, minted in the last four years of this series (especially 1933), are among the most valuable ones. These coins were circulated in small numbers, rendering them rare and expensive. Another high-value type is the high relief MCMVII (1907) coin. Although, MCMVII mint is not a rare type, its popularity drives its value. It is usually available in mint grade or slightly lesser. Often, the About Uncirculated (AU) formed pocket pieces for the enthusiasts. Various Double Eagles can be found in AU-55 to MS-64 grades, offering a wide range to choose from. The coins from the 1908 Philadelphia issue are mostly available in the mint grade. The commonest Double Eagle has the honor of being voted highest on aesthetics, among all gold coin designs. Therefore, appearance and budget become significant factors in choosing a collector’s piece.

Though high-relief coins score on aesthetics, they are susceptible to minting defects, like hairlines or rim bumps. Minor scratches (hairlines) can also result from mishandling, especially if the coin is not kept in a protective packaging. It is advisable to ask for proper incandescent light for inspecting the coins before buying them. In the case of the low-relief variety, scratches or bumps are not very common. Nevertheless, the marks of finger touch are often visible. This is because the coins were shipped in large quantities and they often changed hands. Contact marks on the different spots of coin carry different implications, whereby marks on significant areas like date can reduce the value of coin greatly.