Saint Gaudens Double Eagle

1908-1933 Random Date With Motto $20 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle BU SKU32197

1908-1933 Random Date With Motto $20 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle BU SKU32197
1908-1933 Random Date With Motto $20 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle BU SKU32197

1908-1933 Random Date With Motto $20 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle BU SKU32197

This particular product represents a period in the production of these gold coins which is the second sub-type of the series. They have the motto "In God We Trust" on the reverse of the coin, placed onto the design after Congressional action to require it in 1908. After more than a half-century in circulation, President Theodore Roosevelt was of the opinion that the designs of our gold coins were in need of rejuvenation. He had been familiar with the work of master engraver and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens through an unofficial presidential inauguration medal he had designed for Roosevelt. The President asked if Saint-Gaudens could design something for the double eagle that was more "distinctly American" in design.

Saint-Gaudens had experienced trouble in the past communicating with Mint officials, but agreed to the request on the promise by Roosevelt that mint officials would not be a hinderance to his creativity. Saint-Gaudens worked on the new double eagle designs based on the request by Roosevelt that they be distinctly American. The obverse design shows Lady Liberty stepping up onto a raised platform of stone bearing a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, signifying peace.

She is stepping in front of a sunrise with the capitol building in the background. Incidentally, thirteen rays of light were incorporated into the design, one for each of the thirteen original states of the union. The reverse design shows an eagle in flight with the rising sun at the bottom of the design with sun rays pointing upward behind the eagle. These designs were incorporated in high relief in 1907, but had to be changed a number of times because the initial design could not be fully struck with a single blow by the press. Because the force used to mint the coins was too great for the dies to withstand an affordable number of coins struck per die, the design had to be changed within the first full year of production.

The relief of the design was lowered to ensure these problems were solved. By 1908 the coins were in full production with the lower-relief designs. A double eagle was about equal to a month's wages, making them too expensive to be used widely in commerce. Another of their purposes was to monetize the surplus of gold deposits for accounting purposes.

Most were instead transferred from place to place in bags with other coins. This made low-end uncirculated grades the most common among these coins.

This is the definition of the term'uncirculated' - not to be confused with'never released for circulation'. Liberty striding forward with the rising sun to her back. We cannot make any price adjustments after the sale is complete. Product Photo Policy: MCM attempts to display product images shown on the site as accurately as possible. We take all of our photos in house and due to reflections on the mirrored or proof surfaces of a coin there may appear to be'black' when there is not. If a coin has a color on it at all it will be described as'colorized' in the description or title. Due to the large inventory we sell, we use stock photos. Serial numbers will vary from the image shown unless specifically stated in the product listing that the item pictured is the item you will receive. INTERNATIONAL ORDERS POLICY: We are accepting international orders from select countries.

These charges are the customer's responsibility. However, we cannot guarantee this due to the volume of orders we process each day. Beyond the 30-day return period, Company is under no obligation to accept return of any product, but may in its discretion do so pursuant to this policy, for up to one year from the invoice date. ModernCoinMart (MCM) was launched in 2004 and quickly set the standards for online sales of bullion, US coins and world coins. Join over 100,000 loyal customers and feel confident purchasing from a company that's spent a decade building a solid and stellar reputation trusted and recognized around the world.

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The item "1908-1933 Random Date With Motto $20 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle BU SKU32197" is in sale since Wednesday, October 25, 2017. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ US\Gold (Pre-1933)\$20, Double Eagle". The seller is "mcm" and is located in Sarasota, Florida. This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Certification: Uncertified
  • Grade: Ungraded
  • Composition: Gold
  • Fineness: .

    9675 oz
  • Denomination: $20
  • Year: Random Date
  • Strike Type: Business
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated

1908-1933 Random Date With Motto $20 Gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle BU SKU32197