1909/8 $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle

About This Note

The coin you see here is the exact coin you will receive.

The 1909/8 $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle is one of the most coveted overdate varieties in all of American numismatics: and one of the rarest issues in the entire Double Eagle series. Seldom offered in any grade, finding one in PCGS MS64 with strong original luster and excellent eye appeal is a genuine event.

The overdate was created when a die engraver punched the digit 9 over an existing 8 in the working die. The undertype 8 is clearly visible beneath the 9 at the lower right of the date: a dramatic and unmistakable variety that has fascinated collectors for over a century.

The design is the masterwork of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt as part of his campaign to beautify American coinage. The obverse presents a full-length Liberty striding forward, torch raised high in her right hand, olive branch extended in her left, against a dramatic radiating sunburst. The U.S. Capitol building appears at lower left. LIBERTY arches above, flanked by 46 stars representing the states at the time of issue. The date 1909: with the 8 undertype: appears at lower right.

The reverse shows the American eagle in powerful flight to the left, wings spread, against another radiating sunburst. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS arc above; IN GOD WE TRUST appears below the eagle: 1908 was the first year this motto was added to the Double Eagle after its controversial omission from the original 1907 design.

Philadelphia Mint. No mint mark. Total mintage: 161,282: modest for the series, and the overdate variety represents only a fraction of that figure. PCGS MS64, Cert #37872250. Rich original honey-gold luster with strong cartwheel reflectivity on both obverse and reverse. A trophy coin by any measure.