1915 $20 MS65 PCGS. CAC....

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Sold on Aug 11, 2010 for:

$25,300.00 Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder

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Challenging Gem 1915 Twenty Dollar

1915 $20 MS65 PCGS. CAC. Bowers writes of the 1915 double eagle that "as is true for several double eagles in this date range, the Philadelphia Mint issue is more elusive than are those from the branch mints." The millions of collectors who began their numismatic careers filling up penny boards with Lincoln cents are generally used to the branch mint issues being scarcer than their P-mint siblings; perhaps that is the reason that many collectors fail to realize the rarity of an issue such as the 1915 Philadelphia double eagle, especially in high grades.
Akers' recent Handbook of 20th century gold goes into more specifics concerning the 1915:

"With respect to both overall rarity and high-grade rarity, the 1915 is very similar to the 1914 and considerably rarer than the 1911. It is not, however, as rare as the 1909 in any grade, nor is it as elusive as the 1913 in high grades. Most 1915 Double Eagles grade MS-60 to MS-64, although the issue is still scarce even in these grades. Gems are rare, and the 1915 is unknown any finer than MS-65."

This piece is endowed with surfaces that are nearly mark-free and display lovely orange-gold coloration with tinges of greenish-gold. The strike is bold but not full, with minor softness on some of the elements near the periphery, such as portions of the Capitol dome and Liberty's sandal. Brilliant cartwheel luster emanates from both sides. We note a small, undistracting alloy spot between rays 7 and 8 from the left.
This specimen is one of only 36 Gem examples certified at PCGS, along with a single MS65+, and there are none finer at PCGS. Since Akers wrote those words, NGC has certified a single MS66 piece (6/10).(Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26FV, PCGS# 9167, GSID# 10142)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 33.44 grams
AGW: 0.9675oz
Mintage: 152,000

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 Certification Details from PCGS