The Great $20 Saint Gaudens Gold Coin

The US mint is planning to launch the 2011 Gold Eagle Proof Coins on April 21, 2011. The one ounce 2011 Gold Eagle Uncirculated Gold Coin is also scheduled to be launched on May 5, 2011. The obverse of each American Gold Eagle bears the portrait of Lady Liberty, a design rendition by the great designer Saint Augustus Gaudens. The $20 Saint Gaudens in this series has been the most popular and a much-demanded numismatic coin.

Specifications of the $20 Saint Gaudens Gold Coin

Also termed as the Double Eagle, the $20 gold coin deserves a place in the collection of hobbyists and investors alike. Minted during 1907-1933, these coins are not bullion coins. They have a broad appeal and rank at one of the highest positions among those looking to buy gold coins.

The obverse of this coin depicts the stature of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, against the backdrop of rays of the sun. The Lady holds a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. The date of mintage is etched on the left of the Lady Liberty. The reverse of the coin portrays a flying eagle. The denomination of the coin is fully spelt over the image of the eagle in capital English alphabet and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is inscribed below the image. There were some differences in the design of the coins minted during different times. However, the basic essence of Greek art is visible on every $20 Saint Gaudens coin.

Factors Influencing the Value of the $20 Saint Gaudens Gold Coin

Many $20 gold coins are worth two to three times the actual price of their gold content with some fetching prices as high as $7 million. These coins contain almost an ounce of gold. Therefore, as the price of gold bullion increases, the value of these coins increase as well (depending on rarity). Apart from this, the design of the coin adds value for collectors.

Other factors determining the value of these coins are:

• Demand for these coins
• Quality
• Scarcity

Rare Dates of $20 Saint Gaudens Gold Coins

In the Saint Augustus Gaudens series, the one of the most popular rare dates is the 1907 High Relief. Apart from its unique design, this is the only type on which the date is inscribed in Roman numerals. Other rare dates among these Saint Gaudens coins include 1920-S, 1921, 1927-S and any date ranging in the series of 1929-1933. All the Double Eagles available in these rare dates can be worth between $6,000 and $15,000. The 1933 $20 Saint Gaudens did sell at auction for over $7 million.

The Current Worth of $20 Saint Gaudens

The value of Saint Gaudens Double Eagles has risen significantly over the past few years. The value of the 1920-S Eagle has risen at a rate of 11.35% annually. Such a coin, which was purchased for $85,000 in 1979 by a trader, was finally sold for a whopping $605,000 in an auction in 2010. The factors that influenced the price are quality and rarity.

Due to the Gold Recall order of the US government in 1933, many of the gold coins including Saint Gaudens Double Eagles were confiscated. The decision was taken to prevent people from hoarding and taking gold outside the country. Consequently, many of the popular US coinage of that time were destroyed. Only the coins that were out of the country or hidden away survived this meltdown. Today, survivors are readily available and easy to obtain despite their rarity.