The generous mintage figure of 662,000 pieces does not suggest a rare date, but due to the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 which made private ownership of gold coins illegal (save for coins with numismatic value), many of these then-common half eagles were either never released or turned in to the Treasury and subsequently melted. This lustrous example displays attractive rose-gold coloration on both sides. A few minor contact marks on the reverse serve to limit the grade. Still, a beautiful example of this classic 20th-century Indian half eagle gold rarity. Housed in an early green label holder. (PCGS 8533)

32.21 grams. KM-YA65, Fr. 171, Bitkin-312 (R2). Obverse: youthful portrait of Nicholas II facing left, reverse: crowned double-headed Imperial eagle with four shields on each wing, date and dual denomination based on 10 roubles equaling one within beaded circle. Legend with values and date surrounds. Lettered edge gives weight in Russian measurement: 7 Zolotnik, 77.4 Dolya, no mint master's initial. This was thought to be a special commemorative issue for the Coronation of Nicholas II, with a scant mintage thought to be just 300 pieces, all struck as proofs. Careful study finds a few very minor hairlines and microscopic milling marks in the obverse fields, and some edge damage is reported on the reverse. Still, a very rare issue that is seldom encountered in any grade. Few examples still survive, and every appearance of this important rarity always elicits great collector interest.

Ex: Charles E. Dearnley Collection; purchased from a Philadelphia dealer circa 1930. Dearnley was a well travelled individual who was president of Dearnley Brothers Worsted Spinning Company, worsted yarn manufacturers and distributors in Philadelphia where he was born in 1892. As well as being a prominent coin collector of the time, he was the Director of Rotary International cut short by his death in 1961. The surviving family has retained possession of this coin since his death, thus this example has been off the market since the 1930s.

Beginning with this issue and continuing through the Saint-Gaudens series end in 1933, every surviving double eagle produced is considered rare. The Philadelphia Mint struck slightly less than 1.8 million double eagles in 1929. Most of these coins (including the later-minted dates) were not needed for domestic commerce or export trade, and were simply placed into federal vaults for storage. A very few pieces found limited distribution within America's banking system.

In early 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued his now-famous Gold Recall Act in an effort to reverse the economic downturn of the Great Depression. One of the clauses of this act instructed the Mint not to release any more gold coins into circulation and to destroy those pieces that were either still on hand or were returned to federal control as a result of the recall. Numismatic scholars are generally agreed that much of the original mintage of 1929 double eagles was destroyed as a result of this Presidential order.

Unlike many other Saint-Gaudens twenties, the 1929 has not been widely represented in hoards discovered overseas. A small group of 40 examples was found in England in 1984, and numismatic dealer/author Jeff Garrett purchased another group of 10 coins in the early 1990s from an unspecified source. We are unaware of any other significant finds, so the balance of this issue's extant population probably dribbled into the market either individually or in small groups over the past half century or so.

This is a fully lustrous, honey-gold specimen with bright cartwheel activity and satiny, green-gold highlights. The overall physical quality and aesthetic appeal are substantial for this specimen. Well struck, but not quite full, as is typical for this issue, only a few microscopic abrasions are reported on the reverse. Saint-Gaudens' double eagle specialists will pay close attention as this important lot crosses the auction block. (PCGS 9190)

CAC Sticker. The year 1866 was a year of transition for both silver and gold coins. Patriotic fervor arising out of the trauma of Civil War gave birth to demands for a religious motto to be added to America's coinage. In 1861, 1862, and 1863, two variations of this motto were used on Pattern coins. The first, GOD OUR TRUST, was rejected; the more lyrical IN GOD WE TRUST came off better and was included on the new two-cent pieces of 1864 and Shield nickels of 1866. The Act of March 3, 1865 included a clause mandating this motto on all coins, however, it took the Philadelphia Mint some months before it could add it to the $20 gold production dies -- Philadelphia made the dies for all branch mints. For this reason, a few No Motto twenty-dollar gold pieces were struck at San Francisco before the new With Motto reverse dies arrived from the East.

From a mintage of just 698,745 pieces, and now considered rare in any Mint State grade. From that emission, PCGS has graded only six pieces at the MS62 level with just one finer, that being an MS64. Antique golden mint luster throughout with a slight greenish hue as the coin turns under a light. Scattered light scuffs and bagmarks as expected for these large, heavy coins, but much better than average eye appeal and luster. These mark the appearance of the new Motto on the reverse punched in with individual letters which is readily obvious. Desirable in every way, rarity, eye appeal, and quality. (PCGS 8949)

The Deep Sea Research Group of entrepreneurs found and recovered 1,207 coins from the wreck of the S.S. Brother Jonathan, many in the form of 1865-S double eagles. Today, these are often available in frosty Mint State grades -- Ms60 to MS64. That source has also made a few Gem-quality examples available to collectors, although their number is currently limited to just a handful of MS65 and MS66 pieces. As such, the 1865 is while no longer considered rare, one of the most historic offerings available to numismatists.

This lot features a well frosted, carefully preserved Gem (MS65) example. Coins of this grade from this historic shipwreck are extremely difficult to locate as most Gem pieces now have found homes in major collections. This is one of the finer looking specimens with qualities that send it to the front of the line. A magnificent coin, it has softly frosted mint luster and each side and shows a lively interplay of peach colored orange-gold and bright, reddish-pink patina. Sharply defined throughout, there are no mentionable marks or other luster grazes so often encountered on these coins. It may be awhile before a similar Gem grade 1865-S twenty, such as this, is again offered for sale at public auction (PCGS 8944)

One of the dreams in a collector's life is to own a fresh, gleaming example of this celebrated coin. This isn't just any coin, but a lustrous, sharply struck up example with exceptional eye-appeal and no problems on either side. The boldness is outstanding. Accomplishing a complete strike was highly damaging to the dies on the 1907 High Reliefs, and many show minor die cracks or other types of coining strain. Records show that the dies for these coins were made by Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber from Saint-Gaudens' plaster mold. Barber, who did not like anyone impinging on his mint privileges, did his utmost to sabotage production of the "High Relief." Eventually, Barber got his way, and a greatly reduced relief design was employed in late 1907, just months after the original design was adopted, but not before slightly more than 11,000 of these remarkable double eagles were coined. The wire rim which is seen on many examples is caused by metal flowing up from the three piece edge collar and dies producing a thin raised "fin" around part of the obverse and reverse margin. Examination with a glass will note a single mark to the right of the center of the reverse on the eagle's wing, otherwise the surfaces are exceptionally clean. The strike is, of course, sharp and essentially complete. Bright yellow-golden color overall. (PCGS 9135)

Light orange-gold and subtle green patina with full mint luster. It has been noted that the 1864 double eagle is not associated with the well known $20 gold rarities such as 1861-S Paquet or 1870-CC when all grades are taken into consideration. What should be noted, however, is that this is an eminent condition rarity as a Mint State example. Only a few baggy pieces were recovered from the wreck of the steamship S.S. Republic (29 coins in all, certified by NGC at an average grade of MS60). The treasure of the S.S. Brother Jonathan did not include a single specimen of the 1864 Philly Mint $20. This Brilliant Uncirculated example displays frost on the devices and hints of reflectivity in the fields on both sides, particularly the reverse. Furthermore, it is sharply struck with admirable detail on either side. Just a few light scuffs and marks are noted, particularly on the obverse. However, these are not seriously detracting as one might expect for an MS60 grade. We encourage bidding at a fairly high level, or consider yourself out of the running when this 1864 Liberty twenty crosses the auction block. (PCGS 8941)

Normal Mintmark. This lovely specimen has frosty motifs and satiny fields, a normally seen feature on these coins. Most design details are as sharp as could be desired with only the slightest weakness over Liberty's ear. Both surfaces are predominantly brilliant with subtle blushes of pastel gold and gray in the fields. Among Morgan dollars from the Carson City Mint, the 1879-CC is the second rarest and prime examples are always in demand. Advanced specialists often collect two varieties, the Normal Mintmark (as here) and also the Large CC Over Small CC. This is an outstanding example for the Morgan dollar enthusiast. (PCGS 7086)

All of the Type One twenties, except for the few treasure dates, are major condition rarities in Mint State grades, and the 1852 is no exception. Bright and lustrous straw-gold throughout. The strike is sharp and the luster is unbroken across the highpoints, as expected of the grade assignment. The Bowers reference on the denomination notes: "As the mintage of over two million pieces might suggest, the 1852 is plentiful today. Most are in grades such as VF and EF, with occasional examples in AU coming on the market, punctuated at longer intervals by Mint State coins. Among the latter are a few Choice and Gem pieces." Just 14 1852 double eagles have been graded finer than the present specimen by PCGS, the finest of those MS64. This one is especially pleasing for the grade. (PCGS 8906)