1909 $20 PR(PCGS#9206)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Commissaire-priseur

Stack's Bowers

Numéro du lot

3427

Grade

PR68

Prix

336 000

Description du lot

Gorgeous satin surfaces are fully struck and all but pristine. The finish is exceptionally vibrant even by Satin Proof standards, and it is even further enlivened by vivid color in warm medium gold. A captivating piece impressive for both its rarity and eye appeal.<p>After the end of the Liberty Head double eagle series in 1907, the United States Mint began experimenting with different finishes for Proof gold coins to accommodate the new Indian and Saint-Gaudens designs. For some time, the Paris Mint and the Royal Mint had used a sandblast finish on their specially created coins for collectors. In 1908, the Philadelphia Mint issued gold coins using this finish, the sandblasting process creating a multitude of tiny facets on the coins' surfaces that reflect the light. The rather dark olive-honey finish of these proved unpopular with contemporary collectors and, in 1909, the Mint switched to a satin finish for the Proof gold issues, which yielded much brighter coins. These still proved unpopular with contemporary collectors, however, and the Mint produced only 67 Proof double eagles in 1909. It continued with this finish in 1910, before switching back to the sandblast finish in 1911, which was employed until the Mint ceased issuing Proof gold coins in 1915.<p>As one of the two finest certified examples of the Proof 1909 double eagle, this coin is destined for an advanced cabinet of classic U.S. Mint gold coins. Its bright surfaces and striking eye appeal will certainly attract much bidding attention.