1907 $20 Saint-Gaudens MS63 Certification #26507048, PCGS #9141

David Akers (1975/88)

Being the first year of issue, the 1907 was widely saved as a souvenir or novelty and therefore many exist in very choice or even gem Mint State. There are also some pieces known that are truly superb, if not close to perfection. Below MS-65, this issue is really no problem to locate and gems, although scarce, can generally be found with only a little effort.

After Charles Barber made his "technical improvements" on Saint-Gaudens' original design, the relief was "flattened" significantly giving this issue (and the other No Motto issues as well) the appearance of being weakly struck, especially on Miss Liberty. Actually, the strike is generally quite sharp; it is just that the dies lacked the proper detail. Lustre on this issue is usually good but is slightly subdued (as on most of the early issues) in comparison to the later (after 1920) issues. The surfaces are the 'soft" frosty type seen on most early Saint-Gaudens pieces, particularly the Philadelphia Mint issues. Color varies greatly on this issue from a greenish gold to medium orange. Some rose gold and even coppery gold examples also exist.