1915-S $20 Saint Gaudens NGC MS65

Overview of the 1915-S $20 Saint-Gaudens NGC MS65:

• NCG MS65
• U.S. Mint  - San Francisco
• Year of issue: 1915
• Face value: $20
• Weight in oz:  0.9675oz
• Purity: 0.9000 / 22 Karat gold

Snap up a 1915-S $20 Saint-Gaudens NGC MS65, this pre-1933 gold coin has been certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as having a mint state of 65, which they describe as "well struck with moderate marks or hairlines"

The obverse side of this gold double eagle depicts Liberty striding towards the viewer, holding an olive branch in her left hand and a torch held high by her right hand. These symbols represent peace and enlightenment respectively. Liberty is shown wearing a classical-style flowing dress, her hair flying behind her right shoulder, while her left foot rests on a rock which partially obscured by oak leaves. Just above the rock, the year of issue is shown, along with the all-important 'S' mint mark for San Francisco. The sun rises behind Liberty, and a representation of the U.S. Capitol buildings is depicted towards the bottom left of the coin. Curving around the top of the design is the word "LIBERTY.

Coins produced in 1915, show 48 rather than the original 46 stars, following the addition of Arizona and New Mexico to the Union in 1912. The reverse of the coin is dominated by an eagle flying in front of the sun's rays. Around the top of the reverse design, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TWENTY DOLLARS" are struck, while the motto "In GOD WE TRUST" curves around the top of the sun. Produced from 0.9000 fine gold or 22 Karat gold, with a diameter of 34 mm, these gold double eagles weigh 0.9675oz or 33.4400 grams.

Inspired by coins of the ancient world, President Roosevelt wanted to produce American coins which showed "some beauty", so he was instrumental in ensuring sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was commissioned to design a new coin. This decision proved to be a landmark design - as no one outside of the U.S. Mint has ever been asked this before.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens created the design with assistance from Henry Hering - on whom he increasingly relied as his health declined. Sadly, Saint-Gaudens passed away in August 1907, having only seen the proof coin. However, Hering continued to work on the coin, and the partnership of all involved resulted in the production of one of the most-loved coins ever produced in the United States. Historically, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles E. Barber, has been held responsible for what was perceived as a poorer version of Saint-Gaudens' design, but today these coins are prized for subtle beauty, luster and artistic merit.    

This particular piece was produced by the U.S. Mint at their San Francisco facility, founded in 1854 in response to the Californian Gold Rush. It quickly outgrew its original building, moving to the famous 'Granite Lady' - one of the few buildings to survive the 1906 earthquake and where this coin would have been produced. San Francisco minted coins are cherished for the quality of their strike, plus the attractive luster of the metal. The 1915 issue of the gold double eagle, is usually recognized as being a good strike, and with its 'S' mint mark and so high a mint state, it is certainly a coin that deserves to be cherished.

Overview of the 1915-S $20 Saint-Gaudens NGC MS65:

• NCG MS65
• U.S. Mint  - San Francisco
• Year of issue: 1915
• Face value: $20
• Weight in oz:  0.9675oz
• Purity: 0.9000 / 22 Karat gold