1915 $20 PR(PCGS#9212)
1915 $20 PR (PCGS#9212)
Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins
- 拍卖行
- Stack's Bowers
- 批号
- 3435
- 等级
- PR64+
- 价格
- 814,042
- 详细说明
- Offered is a handsome, richly original example of one of the more infrequently encountered issues in the rare and challenging Proof Saint-Gaudens double eagle series. The surfaces are dressed in deep orange-honey color, similar to that seen in equally original examples of the 1913 and 1914, and the result of the coarse grain sandblast finish that the Mint used for these issues. The sparkling facets that comprise the surface texture are easily seen when the coin is examined with the aid of magnification - a visual delight. With a full strike and no mentionable blemishes, this majestic specimen would serve as a focal point in even the finest collection of 20th century U.S. Mint gold coinage.<p>Never popular with contemporary collectors, who did not understand that the design of these coins made it impossible for the Mint to produce Brilliant and Cameo Proofs, the Sandblast Proof Saint-Gaudens double eagle series came to an end in 1915 with a mintage of just 50 coins. That the decision to suspend production of these special coins - recognized as historically significant by numismatists today - was made without fanfare or even second thought by Mint personnel is seen in the remarkable order from Mint Director F.J.H. von Engelken to Philadelphia Mint Superintendent Adam Joyce dated October 18, 1916:<p><em>I am in receipt of your letter of October 17th. Effective at once, you will please discontinue the manufacture of proof coins.</em><p>So passed what in hindsight is one of the most elegant series of Proof gold coins ever produced, in any Mint, of any nation. Collectors wishing to honor this series with an example of the final Sandblast Proof Saint-Gaudens double eagle will have to compete vigorously whenever one of the 35 to 40 examples believed extant for the 1915 are offered for sale, which is not often. Here, then, is an important and fleeting opportunity worthy of undivided attention and an aggressive bidding strategy.