PCGS MS66
PCGS MS66
- PCGS #:
- 9175
- Designer:
- Augustus Saint Gaudens
- Edge:
- Lettered
- Diameter:
- 34.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 33.40 grams
- Mintage:
- 566,000
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 90% Gold, 10% Copper
- Auction Record:
- $72,000 • MS66 • 05-08-2022 • Heritage Auctions
Major Varieties
- 1923 $20
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 152,500 |
| 60 or Better | 118,333 |
| 65 or Better | 2,250 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-1.9 |
| 60 or Better | R-1.9 |
| 65 or Better | R-4.5 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 42 / 49 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 43 / 49 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 36 / 49 TIE |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 46 / 54 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 47 / 54 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 39 / 54 TIE |
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 PCGS MS66
As MS65+. Auction ’84, Paramount, Lot 994; David W. Akers; Dr. Steven L. Duckor; As PCGS MS66 #4987563. “The Philip H. Morse Collection of Saint-Gaudens Coinage,” Heritage Auctions, November 3, 2005, Lot 6653 – $48,875; Dr. Steven L. Duckor, 2007. As PCGS MS66 #16342395. “The Dr. and Mrs Steven L. Duckor Collection,” Heritage Auctions, Janaury 5, 2012, Lot 4633 – $40,250. As PCGS MS66 #45420968. “The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IX,” Heritage Auctions, August 22, 2022, Lot 3412 – $66,000. Duckor-Simpson on Simpson custom insert. Large diagonal toning streak across the obverse from center down. Diagonal ticks on left arm and below left arm elbow (to the left of the branch). |
|
#1 PCGS MS66
Dr. Steven L. Duckor; Heritage Auctions, June 2007, Lot 2781 – $34,500; Bowers and Merena, February 2008, Lot 2895; “The Oliver Collection,” Heritage Auctions, August 2011, Lot 7703 – $29,900; “The Warren Collection,” Heritage Auctions, May 5, 2022, Lot 4090 – $72,000. Duckor on insert. Diagonal streak only above date to knee. Planchet void at 9 o’clock rim on the reverse. |
#1 PCGS MS66
Heritage Auctions, June 6, 2019, Lot 3296 – $33,600. Thin horizontal scratch on left arm. Copper spot above left bicep. Copper spot to the left of eagle’s beak. |
#1 PCGS MS66
As PCGS MS66 #21929544: “The Kutasi Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2007, Lot 3291 – $37,375; “The Stephen Stokely Collection, Part Five,” Heritage Auctions, July 31, 2008, Lot 2109 – $34,500. As PCGS #30415782. "The Hanalei Bay Saint Collection," (PCGS Set Registry). Tiny diagonal ticks running up from the left on the obverse. Curved die crack across BERTY. Tiny mark at the upper fold of the eagle's left wing. |
|
#1 PCGS MS66
|
#1 PCGS MS66
"The D.L. Hansen Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Small diagonal cut to the left of the torch. Copper spot in the crook of the eagle's wings. |
#7 PCGS MS65+
Stack’s Bowers, November 14, 2023, Lot 3265 – $9,000. |
#7 PCGS MS65+
Heritage Auctions, August 20, 2021, Lot 4342 – $24,000. |
#7 PCGS MS65+
“The Rollo Fox Collection of $20 Saint-Gaudens Gold,” Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 4034 – $26,400. Fox on insert. |
#7 PCGS MS65+
Stack’s Bowers, March 31, 2017, Lot 4580 – $7,637.50. Thin scratch across Liberty's upper thigh. Light scattered copper-colored spots on the reverse. |
Although the 1923 is widely considered to be a "common" date, it is really only deserving of that status in MS-63 or lower condition. In MS-64 condition, this issue is surprisingly difficult to locate and true gems are far more rare than all but the long time specialists in this series realize. Above the MS-65 level, the 1923 is a major rarity and I do not recall ever seeing one that I would grade a full MS-67. Other specialists have reported seeing a very few such specimens, however.
The 1923 is generally very well struck, although many, if not most, specimens are a little weak on the Capitol building and the stars beneath it. The rim is usually sharp and square, often with a partial wire edge. All specimens are fully frosty. The color is typically a light to medium orange or coppery gold. Some examples show evidence of "mounding" or die bulging beneath the topmost stars.