1904 $20 Double Eagle--Double Struck in Collar--MS63 PCGS. The rarity of error gold coins is so obvious that it hardly need...

Description

Very Rare Double Struck in Collar 1904 Twenty MS63

1904 $20 Double Eagle--Double Struck in Collar--MS63 PCGS. The rarity of error gold coins is so obvious that it hardly needs to be mentioned. Because of the value of these pieces and their status as the highest denomination coin struck by the U.S., quality control was very strict. There are very few errors of any denomination available, especially from the 19th and early 20th centuries. This lustrous double eagle remained in the collar after its initial strike. The piece rotated counterclockwise a degree or two, then was struck a second time. The rotated double strike causes shelf-like outlines near the design elements. This piece allows the observation of an interesting phenomenon regarding rotated double struck coins. Often, these pieces are misinterpreted as having a triple strike. For example, the tip of Liberty's nose on the present piece has outlines from two different strikes northwest and southwest of the nose. These outlines represent the portion of the devices that did not overlap between the two strikes. The raised portions of the devices correspond to the overlap between the strikes. Thus, raised areas that are thin or small, such as the stars and legends, are heavily distorted, since most of the design element is flat while traces are raised where the strikes overlapped for that element. However, even the major devices have a blurry appearance to the naked eye, since the relief varies across the portrait and eagle. LIBERTY, which is raised on the coronet, is fragmented, similar to the date and the peripheral reverse legends. Some letters are more greatly affected than others by the double strike, possibly because the second strike was stronger in that area, and thus the prior strike detail was obliterated and replaced with a bold impression from the second strike. More likely, however, the degree of rotation of the elements, while identical across the border, affects the letters near 3 and 9 o'clock to a greater degree than at 12 o'clock. This would explain why STATES is less affected than UNITED, for example. However, the obverse stars show similar distortion regardless of their placement. The piece is less abraded than customary for the MS63 grade. The cheek has a few minor marks, while the fields are surprisingly smooth. Mint errors of consequence are rare on U.S. gold coins, and the present coin will serve as the centerpiece of a noteworthy error collection.
From The Henderson Collection of U.S. Gold Errors.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26CY, PCGS# 9045, Greysheet# 9839)

Weight: 33.44 grams

Metal: Gold

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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