LOT #3219 |
Current Bid: $190,000
1932 $20 MS66 PCGS....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
1932 Saint-Gaudens Twenty, MS66
Sought-After Series Rarity
Registry Set Contender
1932 $20 MS66 PCGS. Ex: Park Avenue Collection. The 1932 is
one of the most desired of all Saint-Gaudens double eagles and
represents the final collectible date in the series. The federal
government melted virtually the entire mintage of just over 1.1
million pieces. According to records obtained from the mint in 1947
by Dr. Charles W. Green, a New York collector, only 110
Philadelphia double eagles were issued in 1932. Recent research by
Roger W. Burdette has unearthed Mint and Treasury records that
indicate a slightly different total of 113 double eagles were
distributed to various institutions and private individuals in
1932, but these figures are in close agreement.Estimates of the number of 1932 twenty dollar pieces that have survived to the present day have varied widely but have more or less leveled off in recent years. PCGS CoinFacts estimates that about 100 examples are known, which is consistent with David Akers' (revised 2008) estimate that "... fewer than 100 coins have survived. Virtually all of these pieces are Mint State." Roger Burdette believes 95 examples are extant. Early estimates such as Walter Breen's (1988) statement that "possible 22-25 survive, almost all Unc" and David Bowers' (2004) suggestion that "between 60 to 80 different pieces" survive are too low.
PCGS and NGC combined have seen 149 examples of the 1932 double eagle, a number of which are most probably resubmitted coins. Virtually all certified examples are in Uncirculated grades, primarily through near-Gem. Garrett and Guth write in their Gold Coins Encyclopedia that: "The Smithsonian collection example is possibly the finest known, and would probably grade MS67."
The 1932 is usually very sharply struck and exhibits frosty luster, though some are satiny in texture. Excessively abraded surfaces are not usually a problem, although most examples reveal a few scattered bagmarks. All in all, 1932 double eagles are exceptionally attractive coins with outstanding luster and color. The 1932 is superior in this regard to all other late-date issues with the possible exception of the 1930-S.
The present Premium Gem showcases all of these fine qualities to their full extent and combines them with a technical grade that has not been numerically surpassed. Thick, frosty wheat-gold luster rolls over the devices and pools in the fields on each side, illuminating the bold strike and unabraded surfaces. Eye appeal is superb. This coin is mentioned on PCGS CoinFacts, in the Condition Census. Population: 11 in 66 (3 in 66+), 0 finer (8/25).
Condition Census of 1932 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles
This Condition Census was compiled by Ron Guth and the Numismatic Detective Agency.
1. MS67 Uncertified (grade per Jeff Garrett). National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.
2. MS66+ PCGS. Kevin Lipton, sold privately via David Akers in 1984; Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4652, $184,000.
3. MS66+ PCGS. Norweb Collection, Part III (Bowers and Merena, 11/1988), lot 4135, $35,200; Phillip Morse Collection (Heritage, 11/2005), lot 6714, $138,000; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2008), lot 2526, $161,000.
4. MS66+ PCGS. Pierson MacDonald Grieve Collection (Heritage, 7/2008), lot 2133, $126,500; Warren Collection/Midsouthcoin on the PCGS Set Registry (Heritage, 5/2022), lot 4119, $288,000.
5. MS66 PCGS. Park Avenue Collection; Cherny Collection/New York Signature (Heritage, 11/2016), lot 5648, $129,250. The present coin.
6. MS66 PCGS. Ralph P. Muller Collection (Heritage, 1/2010), lot 2341, $161,000.
7. MS66 PCGS. Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2006), lot 4750, $103,500; Jacob Collection (Heritage, 1/2008), lot 3408, $132,250.
8. MS66 PCGS. Charlotte Collection (Stack's, 3/1991), lot 1224, $63,250; Dr. Robert Hesselgesser Collection (Goldberg Auctions, 9/2007), lot 3549, $143,750; Ohringer Family Trust Holdings, Part I (Goldberg Auctions, 5/2008), lot 4490, $126,500; Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2014), lot 13281, $99,875; D.L. Hansen Collection.
9. MS66 PCGS. Amon G. Carter, Jr. Family Collection (Stack's, 1/1984), lot 1082, $26,400; Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection (David W. Akers, 5/1998), lot 122, $60,500; Boston Platinum (Heritage, 8/2010), lot 3653, $126,500; Rollo Fox Collection (Heritage, 1/2020), lot 4053, $168,000.
10. MS66 PCGS. Richmond Collection [Bradley Hirst], Part I (David Lawrence, 7/2004), lot 2438, $92,000; John Kutasi Collection (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3310, $138,000; Carter Family Collection (Heritage, 4/2010), lot 2370, $126,500; US Coins Signature Auction (Heritage, 9/2020), lot 3830, $138,000; Central States Platinum Night (Heritage, 5/2023), lot 3362, $264,000.
11. MS66 PCGS. Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part X (Heritage, 1/2023), lot 3964, $312,000.
12. MS66 NGC. Gaston DiBello Collection, Part II (Stack's, 5/1970), lot 1359; Americana Sale (Stack's, 1/2008), lot 9365, $115,000; Baltimore Sale (Bowers and Merena, 11/2010), lot 5603, $92,000; Victoria Rose Collection (Heritage, 1/2013), lot 5971, $94,000.
13. MS66 NGC. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 7796, $75,900; Donald E. Bently Collection (Heritage, 3/2014), lot 30512, $108,688; Central States Platinum Night (Heritage, 5/2023), lot 3361, $174,000.
14. MS66 NGC. George Coyman Collection (Heritage, 1/2003), lot 9404, $58,650; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 3279, $71,875.
15. MS66 NGC. Dr. James C. Kirk Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2017), lot 6110, $111,625.(Registry values: N10218)
From The Alymaya Collection, Part II.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26GR, PCGS# 9194, Greysheet# 10154)
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 [The Alymaya Collection, Part II. ]
Auction Info
2025 October 2 - 5 GACC US Coins Signature® Auction #1386 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
October
2nd
Thursday
12:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
October
2nd-5th
Thursday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
5 Days
16h 8m 42s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 44
Lot Tracking Activity: 54
Page Views: 515
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session - PREMIER (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3238) - 1:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, October 2, 2025.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial