LOT #3224 |
Current Bid: $13,333
1920-S $10 MS63 PCGS....
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Description
1920-S Indian Ten, MS63
Rare 20th Century Gold Issue
Most Elusive Indian Ten in Mint State
1920-S $10 MS63 PCGS. In an absolute sense, the 1920-S eagle
ranks among the rarest Indian Head tens in all grades combined. It
also has well established claims to being the rarest date in the
series in Mint State grades of MS63 or finer. Only the other great
melt rarity in the Indian eagle series - the 1933 issue - comes
close to being rarer than the 1920-S in mid-to-high Uncirculated
grades. In grades of MS65 or finer, the 1911-D and the 1913-S join
the conversation when combining PCGS and NGC grading events.
Curiously, the 1933 is listed among the 100 Greatest U.S.
Coins, yet the 1920-S ten goes unmentioned. Perhaps as many as
70 to 90 1920-S pieces survive, but more than half of that number
exist in circulated grades. Any finer, and the 1920-S is equally as
rare as any Indian ten including the 1933. Only 126,500 1920-S
eagles were stuck, with a portion of that mintage released into
circulation and presumably almost the entire balance melted under
terms of the 1930s Gold Recall. Q. David Bowers writes in his 2017
reference, A Guide Book of Gold Eagle Coins:"It is virtually a certainty that nearly all of the 1920-S pieces minted were held by the Treasury Department and melted after 1933. Relatively few must have seen actual distribution, either domestically or in international commerce. No hoards are known, not even small ones."
This Select Uncirculated sun-gold example survives with frosty luster and a sharper strike than usually seen for the issue. Whereas most 1920-S tens are weakly struck at the central obverse and reverse, this coin shows LIBERTY fully readable and the hair strands sharply defined across the temple and above the ear. The headdress and stars are boldly defined. On the reverse, some weakness persists at the eagle's trailing leg and claw as well as at the shoulder plumage. Only a few light marks exist, easily accounted for by the assigned MS63 grade. PCGS Population: 8 in 63 (2 in 63+), 12 finer (1/26).(Registry values: N7079)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28H8, PCGS# 8881, Greysheet# 9774)
Weight: 16.72 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.
Auction Info
2026 March 26 - 28 US Coins Signature® Auction #1391 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
March
26th
Thursday
4:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
March
26th-28th
Thursday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
16 Days
9h 18m 14s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 19
Lot Tracking Activity: 42
Page Views: 342
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3316) - 5:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
[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 - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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