LOT #3696 |
Current Bid: $26,000
1929 $20 MS65+ PCGS....
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Description
1929 Double Eagle, MS65+
First of the Rare Late Date Saints
Conditional Rarity in Gem and Above
Ex: Rollo Fox Collection
1929 $20 MS65+ PCGS. Ex: Fox. The surfaces are satiny and
virtually unmarked. The strike is complete throughout, and each
side displays light, even orange-gold color. Overall eye appeal is
outstanding. This coin will be a welcome addition to a fine
collection or Registry Set.Writing in 2012, gold coin expert David Akers provides a wonderful overview of the state of the double eagle denomination towards the end of its existence:
"After World War I, double eagles no longer circulated to any extent. For most years from 1920-1933, substantial quantities were minted of every issue but largely remained in government possession as gold reserves for our national currency. They were never really intended for circulation and were subsequently melted in the mid- to late 1930s. That is why so many of the high mintage issues of the 1920s and early 1930s are rare today and typically exist with a very high ratio of uncirculated examples to circulated ones. The 1929 is the first of the justifiably respected five late date rarities of the series."
The primary source of the surviving population is European hoards. These coins were exported as part of commerce and as part of governmental transfers to ensure the continued convertibility of gold-backed currencies in Europe, such as England's continuing (and unsuccessful) efforts to reestablish their post-World War I gold standard. These exported populations peaked with the 1928 issue, which is both the highest mintage issue of the series and one of the most readily available type coins in all grades through MS66. However, by 1929, the economic depression led to a corresponding crash in double eagle exports, marking the start of the major rarities that end out the denomination's production. Akers suggests that 300-400 survive, stating that PCGS' estimate of 900 survivors and Bowers' range of 1,250 to 1,750 survivors were too high. The decline in surviving populations deepened in 1930 and after, making the total population of 1929 specimens the highest of this 1929-1932 period, which Akers notes "is no doubt due to the significant number of specimens returned from Europe over the years; many more examples of the 1929 were found there than of the other four later dates."
However, a numismatic side effect of the repatriation is that most of the 1929 survivors are confined to the lower Mint State grades. Regarding finer survivors, Akers noted that, "the 1929 remains rare in gem uncirculated 65 condition and extremely rare above that level. In particular, the 1929 is definitely much more rare in superb MS66 condition than either the 1931 or 1932 although in gem all three are rather similar." The present Plus-graded Gem, therefore, represents an excellent opportunity for collectors to obtain a coin that is seldom seen as such. Population: 35 in 65 (4 in 65+), 5 finer (8/25).
Ex: The Rollo Fox Collection of $20 Saint-Gaudens Gold / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2020), lot 4049.(Registry values: N7079)
From The Alymaya Collection, Part III.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26GL, PCGS# 9190, Greysheet# 10152)
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.
View all of [The Alymaya Collection, Part III ]
Auction Info
2025 November 13 - 14 US Coins Signature® Auction #1387 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
November
13th
Thursday
5:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
November
13th-14th
Thursday-Friday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
15 Days
1h 8m 49s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 25
Lot Tracking Activity: 45
Page Views: 258
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 2 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3464-3713) - 6:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, November 13, 2025.
[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.]
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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