The 1927 St. Gaudens: Gold, Glory, and Value

The 1927 Double Eagle coin is one of the most outstanding gold coins and is considered to be an example of artistic skill and beauty in numismatics. If you have heard a little about the coin, you may wonder why this 1927 St Gaudens gold coin value is extremely high, after all, the mintage was not too small. The reason is that in spite of the coin's beauty, the history of its creation, the crucial circumstances of the time and the main features of the coin itself play not the least role. That is why 1927 $20 gold coin value is so high and it attracts the attention of collectors and numismatists all over the world. Here we would like to tell you a little more about this amazing coin.

The Story Behind Minting and Popularity

Now, let's start with the basics and remember that the visual appeal of objects and the sense of beauty almost always play a very important role for mankind. And this chase for beauty was one of the key factors in Theodore Roosevelt's monetary reform.  In the early 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt was impressed by the design of antique coins and deeply dissatisfied with the look of U.S. coins. 

The president believed that money should represent the country's majesty and cultural power, as well as display inspiring and impressive designs. That's why famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was assigned to create a series of new coin designs, including the Double Eagle. The coins were released in 1907 and immediately won the hearts of collectors with their elegant and symbolic nature.

Why Double Eagle?

1927 Saint Gaudens $20 gold coin was named after its denomination ($20). The $10 coins were called “Eagle”, while the $20 coins were called “Double Eagle”, according to the doubled face value.

What about the special marks “D”, “P” (or none) or “S” on the coin? They indicate the mint where the coin was issued. In 1927, the Double Eagle was minted at several mints, including the Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints (Denver Mint - D, Philadelphia - P or none, and San-Francisco - S).

Coins Minted in 1927:

As we can see, 1927 D Double Eagle gold coin value is higher than others among the collectors and investors due to its relative rarity. Moreover, gold and silver coins are always more expensive than other common metals because of their face value.

Why 1927?

Although the coin began minting in 1907, the important and most valuable coin is considered to be the 1927 D Double Eagle. But why? First of all, there was a limited mintage of coins issued in 1927. Secondly, the 1927 issue was one of the last coin series before the minting of gold coins ceased in 1933. This period was challenging because of economic difficulties, which led to a ban on gold circulating in private hands. Consequently, after 1933, most gold coins (including the Double Eagle) were taken away and melted down by the government. All this made the surviving examples real treasures because of their exclusivity and immense historical value.

Main Features of the Coin

Design

The obverse of the coin depicts a full-standing Liberty with her waving hair. Liberty holds a torch (symbol of knowledge, learning and light) in her right hand and an olive branch (symbol of peace) in her left hand. The sun rises in the background, illuminating 46 stars (this is the number of states at the time of the coin's minting in 1927).

The reverse side of the coin shows an eagle soaring into the sky with wings spread wide (the symbol of the States) against the background of the rising sun. At the top of the reverse side of the coin is the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and just below its face value “TWENTY DOLLARS”. The inscription at the bottom of the reverse “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added to the design after 1908. This symbolic reverse design represents strength and the desire for freedom.

Main Characteristics

• Denomination: 20 dollars

• Metal: 90% gold, 10% copper (for strength)

• Weight: 33.436 g.

• Diameter: 34 mm.

• Net gold content: 0.9675 oz.

• Minting: absent for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver and “S” for San Francisco.

• Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Investment value: 1927 twenty dollar gold coin value depends on several factors, as it is not just about gold as a precious metal, it is also a coin of great history and rarity. Because of the limited mintage and the elimination of many pieces from circulation, the surviving coins have a high collector and investment potential. The 1927 Double Eagle gold coin value can be estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (and this price is only increasing over time). For example, at one of the auctions, the 1927 D Double Eagle coin value was $240,000 (for MS-66 grade).

Additional Recommendations for Collectors and Investors

If you are the lucky owner of a 1927 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle or only intend to purchase this or other valuable coins, you need to pay attention to some points:

1. Check the originality of the coin. There are many fakes on the market (especially for such valuable pieces). To guarantee authenticity, it is recommended to use professional services or modern technology, i.e., the Coin ID Scanner app for identifying coins and their values. With its help you can quickly scan the coin and get all the basic information about its characteristics and value.

2. Pay attention to the optimal storage conditions of the coin before purchasing or selling the one. To be in perfect condition, a coin needs to be stored properly: in a protective container, away from moisture and direct sunlight. Remember that coins in the best condition are valued significantly higher.

3. If you intend to sell or buy a valuable coin, keep an eye on its market value. The prices of gold coins (especially such rare coins) can fluctuate depending on market conditions and demand. Here again, the Coin ID Scanner app can come to the rescue, making the search process easier and more convenient.

Symbol of the Age and Fascination

The 1927 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is not just a rare coin just like the Peace Dollar, but a living link to the past, symbol of excellence and historical significance, as well as a good investment growing in value with time. Due to this coin all people can understand how art, politics and economics are combined in one of the most famous pieces of numismatics.