With 10 double Eagle that has surfaced, the 1933 $20 St. Gaudens gold coins is no anymore the rarest Double Eagle coin, and the list should begin by 1927-D. Coins from 1920-S, 1921, and 1930-S are also notably scarce. In the next tier of rarity, you’ll find the 1907 high relief coins, as well as those from 1927-S, 1929, 1931, and 1932.
Table of Contents
| Coins | Surviving specimen | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. | 18 | The rarest $20 gold coin is the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. It is the rarest collectible, regular issue Saint-Gaudens double eagle and the rarest 20th-century gold coin of any denomination. The coin was minted in Denver and has a mintage of 180,000. Estimates of the number of examples known generally range from a dozen to 15, with the majority being MS-63 or better and several being solid gems. One specimen was sold for nearly 2 million dollars |
| 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. | 18 | The 1933 Double Eagle is one of the most famous coins in American numismatic history. The U.S. Mint produced 445,500 Double Eagles in 1933, but due to the Gold Recall Order issued during the Great Depression, most of them were ordered to be melted down, with only a small number legally leaving the Mint. |
| 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. | Estimate 145 | The 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a highly rare coin, especially in Mint State grades of MS-63 or higher. It is considered the premier condition rarity of the series, with the majority of specimens in circulated condition. Only a small number, estimated at eight to 10, exist in MS-63, and even fewer could reasonably be graded MS-64 or better. The rarity is attributed to the challenging conditions during its production in 1921 and subsequent melting of most coins in the 1930s. |
| 1921 Satin Proof Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. | Estimate 2 | In 2000, numismatists discovered a rare coin when Sotheby’s auctioned one of two examples for $203,500. The second coin was sold in 2006 for $1.45 million. Both coins were never meant for circulation and were 1921 Satin proofs, created during the U.S. Mint’s experimentation with different proof finishes on the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. There are no mint records on the coin’s issuance, but it is believed that the first coin was struck for the Mint Director’s nephew’s birth, while the second may have been crafted for presentation to a VIP. The latter was sold again in the previous year for $2.01 million. |
| 1920-S Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. | Estimate 150 | |
The rarest coins in U.S. history, a 1927-D Double Eagle Coin.
The 1927-D $20 MS66 PCGS is recognized as the rarest United States gold coin of the 20th century, surpassing even the 1907 Ultra High Relief. Despite the Ultra having more known examples, it is often considered a pattern issue. Jeff Garret and Ron Guth describe the 1927-D as legendary, earning its status as the rarest regular-issue gold coin of the century. With a low mintage of 180,000 pieces, its scarcity is attributed to extensive melting in the 1930s, nearly wiping out the entire production. Notably, the 1927-D may not have circulated, as surviving examples are mostly Mint State and of high quality. Current estimates suggest 18 known specimens, making it a major numismatic event when one surfaces. Population data from grading services indicates a handful of graded examples, further highlighting its extreme rarity. The ongoing legal dispute over the ownership of additional 1933 double eagles could potentially elevate the 1927-D’s rarity status even further.
The 1920-S $20 MS64 PCGS is regarded as one of the top condition rarities in the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle series. It is the second rarest collectible issue, trailing only the 1921 and surpassing the 1927-D and 1907 Extremely High Relief in MS-64 or higher grade. The finest known specimen, housed in the Browning Collection, is virtually perfect with exceptional color, lustre, and immaculate surfaces graded MS-67. Despite Philadelphia producing a quarter-million coins and San Francisco minting over half a million in 1920, the 1920-S is considered rare in all grades. No overseas hoards of 1920-S coins have been discovered, and it remains a classic rarity in the series. The majority of its mintage was destroyed during the gold recall of the 1930s. The 1920-S is particularly scarce in high grades, with most survivors falling in the Choice AU to MS-64 range. The present coin, graded MS64 by PCGS, displays strong definition, frosty texture, and a pleasing reddish-gold and pink-gold patina. With only 10 examples graded in MS64 and five finer, the 1920-S stands out as a significant rarity. Advanced gold collectors find it challenging to secure, contributing to its impressive Condition Census standing and rarity. The 1920-S is typically softly struck on the lower obverse near the rim, but lustre is generally excellent. Most Mint State examples boast rich orange color, often with traces of green and gold, making it a coveted piece for serious collectors.
The 1849 Double Eagle Gold Coin stands out as the rarest and most valuable coin in the history of the United States, with only a single coin known to exist. The 1849 Double Eagle, also known as the Liberty Head Double Eagle, is an extremely rare coin. Only two pieces are known to have been minted, and the whereabouts of only one is known, which is located in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Therefore, only one 1849 Double Eagle is currently known to exist.
An unofficial strike coud make the Rarest Gold Double Eagle St Gaudens.
1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Satin Finish Proof In June 2000, a momentous event unfolded at a Sotheby’s auction—a revelation that brought to light the existence of a 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle satin finish proof coin. This particular coin, unbeknownst to many, could be the rarest in U.S. history. Contrary to the expected mint records, there was no official documentation of its production, leaving coin experts in a state of astonishment and bewilderment. The mystery deepened as satin finish proofs were conventionally struck only in 1909 and 1910.
Further investigation revealed a fascinating backstory.
Raymond T. Baker, the Mint Director from 1917 to 1922, had personally commissioned the creation of this special satin proof double eagle for his newborn nephew, Joseph Baker. The numismatic community was taken aback by this unexpected revelation, as the coin’s pedigree added a layer of historical significance to its already noteworthy existence. The unveiling occurred during the Sotheby’s auction in New York.
Provenance:
The United States Mint; Raymond T. Baker, Director of the United States Mint, 1921; to his nephew Joseph Baker (on his birth), killed in action 1944; to his mother Carmen Ghirardelli Baker (great-granddaughter of Domingo Ghirardelli – founder of the great San Francisco chocolate factory); to her grandson Joseph (Jerry) Porter Baker.”
With the revelation of a second 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle satin finish proof coin, collectors are engaged in heated discussions about its unparalleled significance. Arguably the most crucial date among double eagle Saints, the rarity of only two examples exceeds even the famed 1933 double eagle, which boasts at least 14 known specimens.
During a Heritage auction in 2021, the ‘Baker’ coin fetched an astonishing $2 million, solidifying its position as a numismatic treasure. Experts in the field assert that only two of these extraordinary coins exist today, prompting contemplation on the unconventional circumstances that led to their creation by mint employees.
Please imagine an hypothetical dialogue among mint workers illustrates the nature of crafting what is now deemed the rarest coin of all time:
“Hey, you can’t just take the 1921 stamp and sdo whatever design you want!”
“Oh, it’s for my nephew. I am the Mint Director”
“In that case, go ahead.”
Meanwhile, enthusiasts ponder the rarity of the 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle, even in its business-strike format. With a surviving population of 150-175 examples in all grades, the 1921 issue remains elusive, particularly in high grades. Historical context reveals that the coins, produced in 1921, were held “under seal” as currency reserves, presenting challenges for numismatists to acquire them before year-end. The majority remained in government storage until the Gold Recall of 1933, after which they were melted down.