Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 59

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

$20 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1845		1924 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-63. Lightly toned (PCGS # 9177) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,350. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,668
Lot 1846		1924 $20 St. Gaudens. Sharpness of MS-60 plus. Lightly cleaned. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,050. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,500
Lot 1847		1925-D $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-65. A nice frosty coin. Very scarce date. Like the 1924-D twenty, the 1925-D also had its rarity level lowered since the mid-20th century by the emergence of a few small hoards overseas. While both dates are similar in overall rarity, the edge in high grades such as this resplendent MS65 goes to the 1925-D. We have not offered a Gem for a year or so, yet we have no need to remind bidders that an MS65 example appearing at auction is an event worth remembering. Typically well impressed for the issue, the devices rise boldly above the fields with solid overall definition. The luster is frosty throughout, the surfaces bathed (dare we say "refreshed") by original reddish-gold color. A tiny set of marks occurs to the right of Liberty's hip; this is the only worthwhile pedigree marker to use. Regarded coolly, without moving from the chair in which you are seated reading this, we can honestly say that to find another beautiful gem like this, especially at the incredible visual level this coin supplies the viewer, is an undertaking not to be ignored. We could make a big show of it, but will just say that bidders might as well hope to climb Mount Everest or book passage on the first Branson flight to the Moon! Liberty seemingly glides forth from a rich glowing orange rose aura into the bright golden dawn, while a whisper of the same lovely orange and warm gold hues spreads throughout the eagle's plumage on the reverse. Do not let the mintage figure of more than 2.9 million pieces dissuade you; it fails to take into account that most pieces were stored in bank vaults or at the various Treasury buildings and Federal Reserve Banks in the late 1920s and early 1930s. During the gold recall of 1933-34, nearly all the issue was put behind locked doors and later melted (1933-37). The gold bars that resulted were interred in Fort Knox (1937). Only a few individual pieces escaped the melting furnaces. Indeed, the 1925-D double eagle was once considered to be a major rarity. It was only after a few had been brought back from Europe that the price declined and now is within the reach of advanced collectors. Before this time, only an extremely wealthy individual on a par with Andrew Mellon or Edward Green could hope to obtain one. The present Gem gets our nod (and NGC's stamp of approval) for physical originality and attractiveness. It belongs in a world-class collection. Pop 7; 1 finer in 66 (PCGS # 9181) . Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1848		1926-S $20 St. Gaudens. NGC graded MS-65. Well struck with a hint of golden tone.This Gem has a bold, full strike, and also displays exceptionally appealing brilliant golden color. The glowing satiny luster is beautiful, flashy, sparkling, and helps to emphasize the well preserved features. Virtually no contact marks disfigure the surface, indeed, the reverse only shows a few very trivial blemishes. Most of this issue has been lost to time, the elements, and the government furnaces (1933-37). From an original mintage of more than 2 million pieces the Mint State population dwindles rapidly above the MS63 level. Simply outstanding quality throughout. Pop 19; 4 finer, 3 in 66, 1 in 67 (PCGS # 9185) . Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 1849		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded each MS-65. A trio of golden gems! Lot of 3 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $5,400 - 5,700. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,325
Lot 1850		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded each MS-64. A trio of beauties! Lot of 3 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $4,200 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $5,290
Lot 1851		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded both MS-65. A beautiful matched pair of golden gems. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $3,600 - 3,800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,255
Lot 1852		1927 PCGS graded MS64 and MS65. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,795
Lot 1853		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded each MS-64. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,565
Lot 1854		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded both MS-64. Each quite lustrous. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,565
Lot 1855		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded both MS-64. Each with light golden toning. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,623
Lot 1856		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded each MS-64. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,800 - 3,000. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,623
Lot 1857		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded both MS-63. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,600 - 2,700. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,278
Lot 1858		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-66. An outstanding gem example with intense golden luster (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,600. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,450
Lot 1859		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS Genuine. Each with nice golden toning with light hairlines or altered surfaces. Lot of 2 coins (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. View details Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,875
Lot 1860		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A boldly struck golden gem, lustrous, gleaming. What did things cost in 1927? The fare to Bermuda from New York and back by ship was $70 (or three and a half $20 gold pieces). This price included the berth and meals. A new Hudson automobile cost $1,250 or a little more than 60 double eagles at the time, which equates in today's mini-dollar of $1,100 gold to an awful lot of money! You get a feel for the actual buying power of gold money like this 1927 (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,300
Lot 1861		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A delicate touch of golden-orange toning adds to its appeal. During the 1920s and up until President Franklin Roosevelt abrogated the gold standard in 1933, the public rarely used gold coins in day to day transactions. However, under the rulse of the gold standard, back checking accounts, the dominant means of payment for large sums even in 1927, could be converted into gold. A person could cash a check at a local bank and receive a dollar of coin for each dollar in a checking account. Banks held reserves in the form of "lawful money," gold coin or Treasury currency, to insure that they could pay out each on demand. Thus checking deposits could be exchanged for gold at the rate of $20.67 per ounce in 1927, either directly, by receiving a double eagle from the bank, or indirectly, by exchanging the Treasury paper currency received at the bank into gold at the local subtreasury office. Banks were required to hold only a fraction of their deposits in reserves, 25 percent for the large New York banks (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,415
Lot 1862		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A splendid high quality coin for the date, this Gem displays almost enthralling luster whose satin surface includes sharp detail on Liberty and the eagle (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,243
Lot 1863		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A splendid gem and very choice for the grade. The blistering golden color is especially revealing on this 1927 $20 (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,473
Lot 1864		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. Intense golden mint luster plus warm sunset hues (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,358
Lot 1865		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A lovely gem example (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,300
Lot 1866		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. An intensely lustrous gem example (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,358
Lot 1867		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. Attractive hues of golden mint bloom (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,400
Lot 1868		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. A beautiful golden gem example. The second half of the 1920s witnessed America's push to power. New York dominated London as moneylender to the world. The three-year period after Britain returned to gold in 1925 provides the comparison. Between 1926 and 1928, foreign issuers sold a total of $4 billion securities in the United States, about double the sum raised in the United Kingdom. The Roaring Twenties was at its peak (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,415
Lot 1869		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-65. Lovely delicate golden-rose toning (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,800 - 1,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,358
Lot 1870		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. A very choice coin for the grade (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,920
Lot 1871		1927 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. A very choice example for the grade (PCGS # 9186) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,920
Lot 1872		1928 $20 St. Gaudens. PCGS graded MS-64. Frosty with light golden toning. As a result of boom conditions in the U.S. economy, 1928 double eagle production rose to an all-time high for the Saint-Gaudens series this year of 8,816,000 pieces. (The only year which tops it is 1904 when Philadelphia and San Francisco combined struck 11.3 million double eagles.) (PCGS # 9189) . Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,450. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,920

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