By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
Nearly every 1927-D Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle gold coin was destroyed after the gold recall of 1933. Survival estimates range between 14-15 (only six or seven were known in 1974), with most of those in Mint State. The National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. has three.
In his February 1992 ad in The Numismatist, coin dealer Jay Parrino advertised the finest known example, then graded PCGS MS66 #6431397 (certification number no longer active). This coin likely is now graded PCGS MS67, probably the former Museum of Connecticut History specimen.
Only 14 coins from this issue had been traced at the time of the Heritage Auctions’ April 22, 2022, Part IX sale of the Bob Simpson Collection.
The most recent example to appear at auction, The Fox-Duckor specimen in PCGS MS65+ CAC was purchased by GreatCollections for $3.84 million and joins an historic collection that also contains the famous 1933 Double Eagle, of which only one example is legal to own.
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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Top Population: PCGS MS67 (1, 1/2025), NGC MS66 (2, 1/2025), and CAC MS66 (1:0 stickered:graded, 1/2025).
- PCGS MS67 #2574992: Stack’s, March 1991, Lot 1217 – $522,500; purchased by Jay Parrino. In a February 1992 Numismatist ad, Jay Parrino’s The Mint advertised the finest known example—then graded PCGS MS66 #6431397. As PCGS MS67 #2574992. “The Phillip H. Morse Collection of Saint-Gaudens Coinage,” Heritage Auctions, November 3, 2005, Lot 6697 – $1,897,500. Old Green Holder. Mark on Liberty’s knee.
- PCGS MS66+ CAC #22049181: F.C.C. Boyd; “World’s Greatest Collection,” Numismatic Gallery, January 1946, Lot 1045; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; “Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection,” Bowers and Ruddy, October 1982, Lot 1067 -$170,000; Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, Inc. via private treaty sale to a private collector, August 1983, $290,000; North American Certified Trading via private treaty sale to an East Coast dealer, $1,900,000; Sold by Witter Coin to a private buyer in August 2021 for $3,090,00.
- PCGS MS66 #45402577: “Important Selections from the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IX,” Heritage Auctions, August 22, 2022, Lot 3417 – $4,440,000.

- PCGS MS66 #25203812: As PCGS MS66 #15500221. “The Ralph P. Muller Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2010, Lot 2331 – $1,495,000. Re-holdered with new certification number.
- PCGS MS65+ CAC #37543118: As NGC MS66 #557109-001. “The Douglas Martin Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2014, Lot 5597 – $1,997,500; As PCGS MS65+ CAC #37543118. “The Rollo Fox Collection of $20 Saint-Gaudens Gold”, Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 4046 – $2,160,000. Fox-Duckor on insert; “The Mississippi Collection of Double Eagles,” Heritage Auctions, January 16, 2025, Lot 4964 –$3,840,000. GreatCollections (Press Release). New holder. Duckor on insert.
- NGC MS65 #214579-001: Heritage Auctions, January 5, 2006, Lot 3624 – $1,322,500.
- PCGS MS63 #28773047: As PCGS MS63 #50195808. Heritage Auctions, March 20, 2014, Lot 30506 – $1,292,500.
In addition, four Gem Mint State examples of the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle are impounded in museum collections. The National Numismatic Collection has three examples. One was likely acquired directly from the Denver Mint, while the other two were acquired from the Josiah K. Lilly Collection in 1968. The fourth example is held in the Museum of Connecticut History and is pedigreed to the Donald E. Bently Collection.
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Design
Obverse:
The obverse features a full-length image of Liberty facing forward with an olive branch in her left hand and a raised torch in her right hand. Draped in a long, flowing gown (a chiton), her hair is swept to the left. Some describe her as striding forward, but she appears instead to be in a pose; the foot of her left leg rests on a large rock (in front of which are oak leaves), difficult terrain through which to be walking. To Liberty’s right, the sun is visible behind a depiction of the U.S. Capitol building at the bottom of the coin. Rays from the sun extend upward from behind the Capitol and Liberty to about the level of Liberty’s waist. At the top of the coin is the word LIBERTY, the torch separating I and B. Forty-six tiny six-pointed stars (48 stars from 1912 forward) are arrayed inside the flat rim, forming a circle broken only at the bottom.
In ‘Arabic’ numerals, the date is at the bottom right, above the rock, and a monogram of the designer’s initials, ASG, is below the date. The D mintmark of the Denver Mint is positioned above the date.
Reverse:
The crest of the sun appears again on the reverse, at the bottom, with rays extending upward nearly to the top of the coin behind a majestic left-facing eagle, wings uplifted in flight. In an arc above the sun is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, the words separated by centered triangular dots. At the top is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in a concentric arc next to the flat rim, with the denomination TWENTY DOLLARS just below in another arc. Centered triangular dots separate the words of both phrases, and the text is also in front of the sun’s rays.
Edge:
E PLURIBUS UNUM in raised letters, with 13 separating raised stars, is on the coin’s edge.
Coin Specifications
Country: | United States of America |
Year of Issue: | 1927 |
Denomination: | $20 (USD) |
Mintmark: | D (Denver) |
Mintage: | 180,000 |
Alloy: | .900 gold, .100 copper |
Weight: | 33.436 g |
Diameter: | 34.00 mm |
Edge: | Lettered: E PLURIBUS UNUM |
OBV Designer: | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
REV Designer: | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
Quality: | Business Strike |
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The post 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
First Post: The survival of so few 1927-D Double Eagles makes their appearance at auction a truly remarkable event.
Second Post: A numismatic rarity of this caliber with such a well-documented history is a collector’s dream.
Third Post: The prices realized by these coins underscore their significance in numismatic history. It’s a testament to their rarity and enduring appeal.
Fourth Post: The journey of these coins, from the Denver Mint to prestigious collections, is a captivating story in itself.
Fifth Post: The distinct design of the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle remains an iconic representation of American coinage.