Description
This is a 1926-D $20 ST GAUDENS GOLD DOUBLE EAGLE – PCGS MS-62, CAC APPROVED! #45184774. David Akers comments on the 1926-D $20: In every respect except one, the 1926-D is virtually identical in rarity to the 1925-S. (The one area in which they differ is that the 1925-S is often seen in circulated condition whereas the 1926-D is nearly always seen only in Mint State.) Like the 1925-S, the 1926-D is one of the rarest and most underrated issues in the entire series. When available, which is not often, the typical 1926-D is MS-60 or 61 at best. A full MS-63 1926-D is really a very rare coin and above that level, the 1926-D is very nearly impossible to find. When looking at a fine collection of Saint-Gaudens double eagles, one naturally expects the 1920-S and 1921 to be considerably less than gem quality, maybe MS-60 except in a few instances. However, three much more lightly regarded issues, the 1924-S, 1925-S and 1926-D are, in my view, the real standards of excellence of a collection, because I have never, repeat never, seen a single collection that contained gems of all three of these issues, and not many that had a gem of even one or two of them. I have seen only three 1926-D double eagles that graded a full MS-65, one of which (a coin in a Midwest collection) is a strong MS-65+ with some claim to MS-67. perhaps an equal or finer example exists, but I have not seen or heard of it. At one time, the 1926-D was considered to be a much greater rarity than the 1927-D. Until the early 1950s, only the 1924-S was thought to be more rare, and only a half dozen or so examples of this issue were known. A few were discovered from time to time after that but never any hoards, not even small ones.. Our commitment is to provide you with quality coins and collectibles at the best possible prices. This piece is no exception. Please note, the coin and collectibles markets do fluctuate, and prices occasionally will change. In this rare circumstance, we will contact you first to verify your order. With the the immense Fairmont Collection recently hitting the numismatic market, a few additional 1926-D Saints have been added to the census. However, they number in the single digits, and should quickly be absorbed into the marketplace. The present example is pedigreed to the Fairmont collection, and is arguably one of the nicest coins residing in a MS-62 holder. Luster is pronounced and the strike is virtually full, with none of the Euro-dirt found on many other mint state examples. This may not be the cheapest 1926-D $20 to ever hit the market, but it’s certainly one of the nicer ones! Our commitment is to provide you with quality coins and collectibles at the best possible prices. This piece is no exception. Please note, the coin and collectibles markets do fluctuate, and prices occasionally will change. In this rare circumstance, we will contact you first to verify your order.