1908-D $20 Motto MS67 PCGS....

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Sold on Aug 22, 2022 for:

$132,000.00 Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder

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1908-D Motto Double Eagle, MS67
A Condition Census Rarity
Ex: Morse

1908-D $20 Motto MS67 PCGS. Ex: Simpson. Long Rays. A now-well-known Central American hoard of several hundred 1908-D Motto double eagles was brought to light in 1983 by Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, Inc., a New York coin and bullion dealer. In his comments for the Duckor Collection, offered in our auctions in 2012, David Akers wrote:

"[The hoard] contained many uncirculated examples of both the 1908-D With Motto and 1908-D No Motto, many of them grading choice to gem uncirculated with some superb MS66 and, in the case of the With Motto issue, one or two MS67 specimens included as well. Today, the 1908-D With Motto is only moderately scarce in gem condition and certainly not rare by any means. Superb MS66 examples remain rare, however, and MS67 specimens are extremely rare with only a handful known."

At least a handful of the MS67 pieces known today predate the Central American hoard, specifically, the Dallas Bank, Eliasberg, and Duckor specimens, and possibly others. Whether or not the Simpson piece extends its history to the hoard is unknown. It first appeared in our November 2005 sale of the significant Phillip H. Morse Collection, but without a known prior provenance. It realized $80,500 in that offering, which was at the time an auction record for the issue. (Only when the Eliasberg piece appeared in our 2008 ANA Signature was that auction record surpassed.)

In total, PCGS reports five MS67 examples of the 1908-D Motto double eagle, and NGC counts two additional submissions. We are aware of at least six distinct coins in this grade, with none finer. None of the top-graded pieces have appeared at auction in nearly a decade.

The Morse-Simpson piece displays luminous matte-like surfaces intricately detailed with delicate mint-green and lemon-yellow patina. A couple of tiny surface marks are seen on the obverse, but one must look closely to find them. The reverse is essentially pristine. Easily among the finest 1908-D Motto Saints we have offered, and a rarity of the highest order in this condition. Population: 5 in 67, 0 finer (7/22).
Ex: Phillip H. Morse Collection (Heritage, 11/2005), lot 6558.(Registry values: N1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26F9, PCGS# 9148, Greysheet# 10160)

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.

View all of [Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IX ]

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