1908 $20 Motto MS67 PCGS....

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Sold on Jan 12, 2023 for:

$168,000.00 Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder

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1908 With Motto Double Eagle, MS67
Tied Atop the Condition Census

1908 $20 Motto MS67 PCGS. Ex: Simpson. Long Rays. The 1908 With Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagle is an underappreciated condition rarity in the series. For perspective, PCGS has certified more than 193,000 No Motto 1908 double eagles, and that issue is plentiful through MS67, while the same service reports just 3,313 submissions of the 1908 With Motto issue, which is decidedly scarce any finer than MS64. Even the 1908-D With Motto coin -- which has a similar total population at PCGS of 3,622 coins -- is plentiful through MS65 and occasionally accessible in MS66.

Part of the 1908 Motto double eagle's scarcity in high grade is attributed to its mintage, which topped out at only 156,258 coins. In Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles, Roger Burdette writes:

"1908 Long Rays/Motto (Type 3) coins were manufactured in comparatively small numbers during the second half of 1908. MS66-67 examples are rarely encountered and data from authentication companies indicate that most Uncirculated coins are at the lower end of the scale. This is consistent with repeated counting and handling common in European banking circles. Circulated examples are also uncommon which implies little use in domestic business channels. It is probably that most of the pieces available today were once part of foreign payments, and that some resided in South American vaults, where they were not subject to repeated handling."

The Simpson specimen is one of just two Superb Gems known. PCGS and NGC combined report 28 MS66 or MS66+ coins, but none of these compare to the present coin in terms of sheer quality and eye appeal. Pristine honey-gold surfaces complement boldly struck design elements and vibrant, satiny mint luster. A loupe fails to reveal even minor abrasions. Population: 2 in 67, 0 finer (11/22).
Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part X. (Registry values: N1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26F8, PCGS# 9147, Greysheet# 10135)

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 [Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part X ]

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