LOT #3367 |
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1908 $20 Motto, Matte, JD-1, Low R.5, PR65 NGC....
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Sold on Jan 14, 2026 for:
$109,800.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1908 Motto Double Eagle, PR65
First Matte Proof Issue
Classic 20th Century Rarity
Ex: Richmond Collection
1908 $20 Motto, Matte, JD-1, Low R.5, PR65 NGC. Several
factors made 1908 gold proofs impossible to produce by the Mint
using traditional proof production. The 1908 quarter eagles and
half eagles employed Bela Lyon Pratt's incuse (sunken) designs for
the first time on U.S. coinage, making proof dies impossible to
polish by normal methods. The double eagle was also problematic
because the basined surfaces and high relief devices of the new
Saint-Gaudens design prevented die polishing in the same manner as
the old brilliant proofs of previous years. Accordingly, the Mint
adopted an artistic matte, or sandblast, finish for gold proof
coins in 1908. After striking, the 1908 proofs were heavily
sandblasted with a coarse grain of sand that produced a deep
olive-gold patina, with none of the reflective fields and
field-device contrast of earlier proofs. The resulting finish
resembled that seen on some European medals of the period, but
contemporary U.S. collectors much preferred the old brilliant proof
finish. Mint records indicate only 101 proof double eagles were
distributed in 1908. Remaining unsold pieces were subsequently
melted. Probably no more than 60 to 70 examples survive today in
all grades.Gold proof sets began appearing on the secondary market almost immediately, as dealers sought to capitalize on the novelty of the new designs. An early auction appearance was in lot 476 of the Andrew C. Zabriskie Collection (Henry Chapman, 6/1909):
"1908. Gold proof set, $20, $10, $5, $2 1/2. Dull sandblasted finish. Extremely rare. Set."
The lot realized $70, a fairly strong price at the time. Today, the sandblast proofs are extremely popular not only for Indian gold enthusiasts, but among all U.S. proof coin collectors. This 1908 Motto twenty proof comes from the Richmond Collection Part I (lot 2439, where it was described:
"Beautiful, olive-colored matte surfaces. A curious, incuse star appears in the planchet, just below the tip of the olive branch held in Liberty's left hand -- it was in the planchet before the matte finish was applied. We've never seen this anomaly before and have no explanation as to how it got there."
Nor do we have a clue about this oddity. A search of our archives revealed no other similar examples. In any case, this Gem proof has an important pedigree and and realized $36,800 in that July 2004 sale.
The present coin is an exceptional Gem sandblast proof featuring razor-sharp definition throughout the motifs. This coin displays orange highlights on silky-smooth mattelike olive-gold surfaces. This coin should find a home in the finest collection or Registry Set. The coin is part of a complete assembled 1908 proof set, with the other coins offered in neighboring lots in the catalog. NGC Census: 14 in 65, 36 finer (12/25).
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 107405, Base PCGS# 9205)
Weight: 33.44 grams
Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction #1390 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
January, 2026
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 19
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 262
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
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