1915-S $20 MS66+ PCGS Secure. CAC....

Description

1915-S Double Eagle, MS66+
Sole Finest at PCGS

1915-S $20 MS66+ PCGS Secure. CAC. Ex: Duckor/Akers. There was a time, not so long ago, when the 1915-S was a true archetype of the series for collectors desiring a mintmarked Saint-Gaudens issues from the teens. Examples of the 1915-S (and for that matter, the 1916-S, which has a similar rarity profile although a touch rarer grade for grade in Mint State) could be obtained for a few hundred dollars each in Mint State -- usually the lower reaches of Mint State, as bagmarks can be a problem for the issue.
The 1915-S twenty dollar issue had a nominal mintage for the time and mint of 567,500 pieces, one that, like many of its S-mint brethren from the same time period, actually circulated to some degree in the nation's far West. Although double eagles were scarcely seen in the East, the hard-money West saw the gold coins circulate up until World War I, when hoarding and a Mint hiatus in striking the coins both conspired to remove them from the channels of commerce.
Examining the PCGS Population Report reveals that the 1909-S through 1916-S Saint-Gaudens issues each show considerable survival in the circulated grades, to the extent of several hundred pieces at each service for each issue, with the 1910-S, 1914-S, and 1915-S most often seen. Only five years ago, writing in the winter/spring 2005 Numismatic Sun magazine, Q. David Bowers said this about the 1907-1916 Saint-Gaudens issues:

"Remarkably, nearly all [except for the MCMVII High Relief] of the other issues from 1907 through 1916 can be collected in Mint State for less than $1,000 each. Choice and gem Mint State can be another situation entirely, and several different varieties, readily enough available in, say, MS-63, become very elusive in MS-65 or MS-66. ..."

How times have changed. The intrinsic or melt value of any Saint-Gaudens double eagle, even in circulated condition, is north of $1,500.
The Mint State populations of the 1915-S, as with some other series issues, have also been augmented by the discoveries of several large hoards during the last few decades, coins that largely fall into the MS60-MS64 grade range. Most of those Uncirculated coins likely saw long-term bag storage that has created the characteristic tiny bagmarks that average survivors are noted for -- contact marks that keep the coins from higher Mint State grades, regardless of how excellent the strike and luster may be.
Nonetheless, all of the foregoing only serves to put circulated and lower-Mint State examples of the 1915-S into some historical context -- but this is far from an average survivor of this generous issue. Unlike the vast majority of examples, the present MS66+ example is virtually abrasion-free, immediately setting it far apart from even most Mint State survivors. The surfaces are fully struck throughout. Deep reddish-orange obverse color and rich, rolling cartwheel luster overall contribute to stunning eye appeal, yielding to even deeper color on the reverse. This piece, like numerous other examples in the Duckor Collection, is a "pop 1/0" coin, the single finest certified by PCGS with none finer (10/11) -- a coin with enormous potential and sure to attract serious attention from multiple bidders.
Ex: David Akers.
From The Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection.
Seller is donating a portion of their proceeds, and Heritage is donating the same portion of the Buyer's Premium, from the sale of this lot to the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. See page 3 for details.(Registry values: N2998)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26FW, PCGS# 9168, Greysheet# 10173)

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.

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