LOT #3238 |
Current Bid: $150,000
1932 $20 MS65 PCGS....
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Description
1932 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, MS65
Heavily Melted Late-Series Rarity
Second-Rarest Late-Date Saint
1932 $20 MS65 PCGS. In addition to the fascinating
historical aspects of its design and its lofty status within the
U.S. gold series, the Saint-Gaudens double eagle presents a unique
challenge for those who endeavor to assemble a set of what many
believe to be America's most attractive coinage. The "late-date"
Saints from 1929 through 1932 are especially challenging for
collectors. The famous 1933 issue is unlawful to own, except for a
single court-approved example in private hands, currently
unavailable.Throughout the Saint-Gaudens twenty dollar series, numismatists have long learned to disregard mintages as an accurate measurement of rarity within the series. Despite a large mintage of more than 1.1 million pieces, the 1932 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a distinct rarity in today's market. The coins were all delivered between January 6 and April 25, 1932. The great majority of the mintage was held in Mint or Treasury vaults to serve as currency reserves until the Gold Recall took effect the following year. The coins in government custody were melted into gold bars and shipped to the Fort Knox Bullion Repository. None were ever released to Federal Reserve Banks for circulation and only 175 examples were ever available to the general public, either through sale to collectors by the Treasury department, or in exchange in normal transactions with the Philadelphia Mint Cashier. Roger Burdette estimates the surviving population at about 95 examples in all grades today. To our knowledge, no 1932 double eagles have been found in foreign holdings and -- aside from some unusual happenstance -- no repatriated examples are expected to suddenly appear.
The present coin is a spectacular Gem, with sharply defined design elements that show intricate detail on the Capitol building and throughout the eagle's feathers. Some tiny marks on Liberty's portrait and on the eagle's wings indicate brief bag storage and related Mint handling. The vivid orange-gold surfaces are otherwise well-preserved, with virtually no field abrasions save for a trio of short, faint grease lines near Liberty's distant hair curls beyond the torch. Vibrant mint luster enhances the outstanding eye appeal across satin-smooth surfaces. Among the late-date Saints, only the 1930-S is demonstrably rarer. PCGS Population: 32 in 65 (6 in 65+), 11 finer (3/26).
Ex: U.S. Coins Signature (Heritage, 11/2023), lot 3255.(Registry values: N7079)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26GR, PCGS# 9194, Greysheet# 10154)
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.
Auction Info
2026 April 29 - May 2 CSNS US Coins Signature® Auction #1393 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
April
29th
Wednesday
1:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
Apr-May
29th-2nd
Wednesday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
1 Day
11h 12m 33s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 38
Lot Tracking Activity: 49
Page Views: 527
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3259) - 2:00 PM Central Time, Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
[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.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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