1931 $20 MS64+ PCGS....

Description

1931 Double Eagle, MS64+
Scarce Late-Series Melt Rarity

1931 $20 MS64+ PCGS. The 1931 is one of the scarcer late-date Saint-Gaudens double eagles, with an estimated survivorship in the neighborhood of only 110 coins over all grades. The 1930-S is scarcer, as is the 1932. The 1927-D and 1933 are, of course, also rarer dates; this leaves the 1931 as the 5th rarest double eagle Saint.

Vault and Treasury records for the 1931 double eagle are more complete than some of the other late-date melt rarities, and we are able to accurately pinpoint the number of coins that could have entered public hands before the Gold Recall order of 1933: that number is 310 coins. From the mintage reported at 2,938,250 coins, all but 500 coins were sealed in Vault F at the Philadelphia Mint between June 21, 1932, and June 27, 1933. These included 1.175 million coins in Cage 4, 1.75 million in Cage 6, and 10,000 in Cage 1 -- all in 1932 -- with an additional 2,750 pieces leftover from the Annual Assay added to Cage 1 in 1933. Of the 500 coins not eventually sealed in the Vault F, 158 were destroyed in the Special and Annual assays, and 32 residual coins from the Treasurer's office were transferred to the Mint Cashier in 1934 and subsequently melted. The total potential distribution of the date, then, is 310 pieces.

The majority of the coins known today were purchased directly from the Mint Cashier or the Treasury Cash Room. We know a group of 50 pieces was transferred to the Treasury Cashier for distribution to the public, and the Philadelphia Mint Cashier had at least 141 coins on hand for payouts. Additionally, 23 pieces were individually sold by either the Mint or the Treasury to numismatists specifically seeking the new coinage -- these pieces likely accounting for the highest-grade examples known today.

The current Plus-designated Choice example displays vibrant butter-gold mint luster and a bold strike, including both the torch and the Capitol building. A few tiny marks are not bothersome and serve as pedigree markers. For the advanced Saint-Gaudens double eagle collector, this piece offers much eye appeal and quality merit. Population: 31 in 64 (5 in 64+), 43 finer (10/24).(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26GN, PCGS# 9192, Greysheet# 10153)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 33.44 grams
AGW: 1.06oz
Mintage: 2,938,250

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