1931 $20 MS63 PCGS....

Description

1931 Twenty, MS63
Rarely Encountered End-of-the-Series Issue

1931 $20 MS63 PCGS. The 1931 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is one of the premier rarities in the 20th century U.S. gold series, and any auction appearance is a noteworthy, and frequently record breaking, numismatic occasion. The recent sale of the finest-known specimen, a stunning PCGS graded MS67 example, in the ANA Signature Auction (Heritage, 8/2010), lot 3650, realized $322,000. While the present coin may not equal the fantastic quality of that piece, its appearance is sure to generate excitement among series enthusiasts.
The 1931 is one of the famous "late dates" of the series--coins that were primarily held in domestic banks and Treasury vaults from the day they were minted until the day they were melted, after the Gold Recall of 1933--whose mintage figures are meaningless in relationship to their availability today. The 1931 claims a huge reported mintage of 2.9 million pieces, but virtually all of this production was never released into circulation. Ground-breaking research by Dr. Charles W. Green in the 1940s suggests only 45 coins were actually released through official channels. It is certain that other examples were saved by Mint personnel and Treasury officials, who made a cottage industry of exchanging common-date double eagles for the 1931 dated coins, and selling the 1931s to Philadelphia and New York area coin dealers, but the supply has always been quite small. Noted gold specialist David Akers believes the 1931 is the sixth rarest coin in the 53-coin series, with a surviving population of 65 to 85 specimens in Mint State. The 1931 is almost always seen in Uncirculated condition. Current population data from NGC and PCGS suggests a slightly larger population, with a combined total of more than 115 submission events between them, but this figure is undoubtedly inflated by resubmissions.
The 1931 double eagles were well produced, with surprisingly good quality control for such a large mintage. The strike is usually sharp, and the luster is vibrant and frosty, and surface abrasions are seldom a problem. This holds true for this example. The softly frosted surfaces display a subtle interplay of rose and orange-gold color, and there are no singularly mentionable abrasions on either side.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26GN, PCGS# 9192, Greysheet# 10153)

Weight: 33.44 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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