Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Values
How Much Saint Gaudens Double Eagle
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | (None) Phil | High Relief, Wire Edge | -- | $7,500 | $8,500 | $9,025 | $10,450 | $11,860 | $16,480 | $27,650 | $40,100 | $58,495 | $115,300 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | Extremely High Relief, Lettered Edge, 15 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,475,000 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | High Relief, Flat Edge | -- | -- | $8,500 | $9,025 | $10,450 | $12,110 | $17,480 | $29,175 | $40,650 | $60,300 | $129,175 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | Saint-Gaudens | -- | -- | $2,360 | $2,778 | $2,833 | $2,854 | $2,951 | $3,120 | $3,729 | $4,941 | $10,327 |
| 1908 | D | No Motto | -- | $2,310 | $2,320 | $2,753 | $2,970 | $3,141 | $2,973 | $3,433 | $3,495 | $6,895 | $42,300 |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | Motto | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,841 | $3,341 | $3,204 | $3,722 | $6,360 | $17,850 | $53,100 |
| 1908 | D | Motto | -- | $2,800 | $3,000 | $3,650 | $4,895 | $5,698 | $12,175 | $34,000 | $47,000 | $76,000 | $135,500 |
| 1908 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,840 | $2,941 | $3,225 | $5,779 | $13,700 | $45,350 | $166,000 |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | 60-75 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $22,550 | $44,350 | $78,250 | $117,500 | $216,500 |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | No Motto | -- | -- | -- | $2,753 | $2,764 | $2,798 | $2,795 | $2,784 | $2,822 | $2,921 | $3,754 |
| 1909/8 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,500 | $2,520 | $2,919 | $2,959 | $3,491 | $3,432 | $6,558 | $13,995 | $48,100 | $156,800 |
| 1909 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,288 | $3,034 | $3,160 | $5,200 | $9,340 | $14,250 | $49,995 | $149,500 |
| 1909 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,701 | $2,975 | $2,978 | $5,559 | $5,300 | $29,600 |
| 1909 | (None) Phil | 40-45 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $23,600 | $48,350 | $84,875 | $130,500 | $207,500 |
| 1910 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,210 | $2,704 | $2,728 | $3,081 | $2,975 | $2,950 | $3,362 | $9,900 | $38,150 |
| 1910 | (None) Phil | 60-75 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $22,550 | $44,350 | $78,250 | $114,750 | $191,750 |
| 1910 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $3,081 | $2,850 | $2,913 | $3,246 | $4,051 | $13,700 |
| 1910 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $3,016 | $3,245 | $10,540 | $54,200 |
| 1911 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,740 | $2,788 | $2,975 | $3,534 | $4,693 | $21,010 | $44,800 |
| 1911 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,850 | $3,410 | $4,026 | $5,636 |
| 1911 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,210 | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,955 | $3,178 | $4,834 | $19,840 |
| 1912 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $3,100 | $3,329 | $7,910 | $29,325 | $73,000 |
| 1912 | (None) Phil | 45-55 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $22,550 | $44,350 | $78,250 | $147,750 | $196,750 |
| 1913 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,729 | $2,765 | $2,823 | $3,225 | $3,495 | $7,195 | $61,150 | $121,000 |
| 1913 | D | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,210 | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,975 | $3,495 | $3,517 | $7,833 | $43,995 |
| 1913 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,789 | $2,957 | $3,058 | $4,042 | $7,612 | $10,870 | $61,995 | $213,000 |
| 1913 | (None) Phil | 40-45 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $22,550 | $44,350 | $78,250 | $142,500 | $277,750 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,270 | $2,290 | $2,749 | $2,790 | $2,841 | $3,335 | $4,130 | $6,437 | $32,650 | $127,250 |
| 1914 | D | -- | -- | -- | $2,210 | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $3,130 | $2,866 | $3,809 | $11,035 |
| 1914 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,210 | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,838 | $2,905 | $3,444 | $10,210 |
| 1915 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,769 | $2,850 | $2,861 | $3,099 | $3,725 | $8,860 |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,739 | $3,127 | $4,034 | $5,728 | $30,495 | $199,500 |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | 35-40 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $25,400 | $51,550 | $84,750 | $158,500 | $221,250 |
| 1916 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,877 | $2,852 | $3,528 | $4,547 | $13,000 |
| 1920 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $3,091 | $2,719 | $3,447 | $6,140 | $211,500 | -- |
| 1920 | S | 100-150 Known | -- | -- | -- | $19,800 | $30,550 | $38,700 | $68,000 | $123,000 | $211,500 | $622,000 | $843,000 |
| 1921 | (None) Phil | About 150 Known | -- | -- | -- | $35,750 | $55,000 | $63,425 | $101,200 | $318,000 | $406,500 | $705,000 | $1,022,500 |
| 1921 | (None) Phil | Satin Special Strike | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,200,000 | -- | -- |
| 1922 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,704 | $2,849 | $3,772 | $45,925 |
| 1922 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,205 | $3,235 | $3,049 | $3,625 | $5,166 | $8,754 | $50,600 | $161,750 |
| 1923 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,861 | $2,750 | $4,995 | $78,800 |
| 1923 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,772 | $2,778 | $2,962 | $3,955 | $4,670 |
| 1924 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,967 | $2,704 | $2,772 | $2,974 | $3,667 |
| 1924 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,343 | $3,337 | $3,904 | $6,250 | $9,290 | $16,930 | $137,000 | $330,500 |
| 1924 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,495 | $3,692 | $4,400 | $7,910 | $13,440 | $30,450 | $130,000 | $304,000 |
| 1925 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,309 | $4,503 | $5,530 | $9,460 | $17,995 | $63,875 | $299,000 | $354,250 |
| 1925 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,495 | $3,968 | $4,700 | $7,770 | $12,025 | $30,495 | $119,750 | $365,000 |
| 1925 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,773 | $2,790 | $3,161 | $4,522 |
| 1926 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $3,175 | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,829 | $2,785 | $3,391 | $5,100 |
| 1926 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $8,800 | $11,550 | $14,600 | $19,980 | $34,300 | $49,500 | $236,500 | $417,500 |
| 1926 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,343 | $3,510 | $3,394 | $5,640 | $9,515 | $11,324 | $30,630 | $91,250 |
| 1927 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,178 | $2,728 | $2,868 | $2,850 | $2,723 | $2,836 | $3,022 | $3,522 |
| 1927 | D | 15-18 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $825,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,825,000 | $2,170,000 | $3,040,000 | $4,920,000 |
| 1927 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $12,100 | $17,975 | $22,675 | $33,875 | $83,495 | $134,400 | $260,000 | $341,500 |
| 1928 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,210 | $2,704 | $2,728 | $2,754 | $2,850 | $2,715 | $2,833 | $3,002 | $3,516 |
| 1929 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $17,600 | $27,100 | $41,200 | $52,000 | $79,650 | $107,050 | $243,500 |
| 1930 | S | 50-75 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | $48,400 | $55,000 | $104,300 | $209,000 | $246,250 | $294,500 | $381,500 |
| 1931 | (None) Phil | 100-150 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | $26,400 | $33,000 | $66,100 | $104,500 | $130,750 | $186,500 | $318,000 |
| 1931 | D | 100-150 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | $35,200 | $49,500 | $81,300 | $140,300 | $164,350 | $236,500 | $373,000 |
| 1932 | (None) Phil | About 100 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | $33,000 | $48,400 | $81,300 | $129,100 | $159,000 | $192,400 | $330,500 |
| 1933 | (None) Phil | 15-20 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $21,150,000 | -- |
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: A Masterpiece of U.S. Coinage
The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, minted from 1907 to 1933, is widely regarded as the most stunning coin ever produced by the U.S. Mint. Designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, this $20 gold piece was part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s ambitious plan to elevate American coinage to the level of fine art. With its high relief, intricate details, and historical significance, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle remains one of the most coveted gold coins in the world.
A Bold Departure from Traditional Designs
Breaking away from previous coinage, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle introduced an artistic and dynamic portrayal of Liberty. The obverse features Lady Liberty striding forward, holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other, with the sun’s rays behind her—a symbol of enlightenment and progress. The reverse depicts a majestic eagle in flight, soaring above the sun’s rays, reinforcing the nation’s spirit of freedom.
Several versions of the design were struck:
- 1907 Ultra High Relief – The original concept, featuring deeply sculpted details, was too difficult to mass-produce and exists only in a handful of specimens.
- 1907 High Relief – A modified version with slightly reduced relief, still struck in small numbers.
- 1907–1933 Standard Relief – The final design, which was adjusted for practicality and mass production.
- 1908–1933 With Motto Variety – Beginning in 1908, the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added above the sun on the reverse.
President Roosevelt personally oversaw the redesign of U.S. coinage and initially wanted to remove “IN GOD WE TRUST” from the coin, believing that placing God’s name on money was inappropriate. Public outcry led to the motto being restored in 1908.
A Coin That Symbolized American Prosperity
The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was issued during a time of economic growth and optimism. Its bold imagery and large size made it a fitting representation of America’s expanding influence. However, the coin’s production abruptly stopped during the Great Depression, when the U.S. government ceased gold coinage and recalled much of the gold in circulation.
Where to Find These Coins:
Many Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles exist today, but uncirculated examples with original luster are highly sought after. Coins from later years, particularly 1929–1933, are exceptionally rare due to gold confiscation laws.
Key Features to Examine:
- Full strike details, particularly in Liberty’s gown and the eagle’s feathers.
- Lustrous, undamaged surfaces, as large gold coins often suffered bag marks from storage.
- Sharp edge lettering, which is a unique feature of this series.
Scarce Dates and Key Varieties
Certain dates in the Saint-Gaudens series are exceptionally rare and valuable:
- 1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle – Only about 15 specimens exist, making it one of the most prized numismatic rarities.
- 1920-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – A low-mintage issue that is extremely difficult to find in high grades.
- 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – One of the rarest coins in the series, with only around 15-18 known survivors.
- 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – The most famous U.S. gold coin rarity, with nearly all examples confiscated by the government. Only a few legally owned specimens exist, one of which sold for over $18 million at auction.
Errors and Unique Features:
- Weak strikes were common in early issues due to the high-relief design.
- Some coins exhibit die polishing lines and mintmark variations, adding to their collectibility.
The Impact of the 1933 Gold Recall
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order requiring U.S. citizens to turn in their gold coins. The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was one of the last gold coins produced before this policy took effect, and almost all the 1933 issues were melted. A few escaped the recall, leading to one of the greatest coin controversies in U.S. history.
Why This Coin Remains Highly Collectible
- It is widely considered the most beautiful U.S. coin ever minted.
- Many issues were melted, leaving a lower surviving population.
- Rare date varieties, such as the 1927-D and 1933, command millions at auction.
- Its gold content and numismatic value make it a cherished collectible.
A Lasting Legacy in Numismatics
The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is more than just a gold coin—it is a masterpiece of American artistry and a symbol of the nation’s golden age. Whether pursued for its historical importance, investment potential, or breathtaking design, this coin continues to captivate collectors worldwide.
