1923 $20 MS64 Certification #30834089, PCGS #9175

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

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.

PCGS #

9175

Designer

Augustus Saint Gaudens

Edge

Lettered

Diameter

34.00 millimeters

Weight

33.40 grams

Mintage

566000

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

762

Pop Lower

25172

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	152500	R-1.9	42 / 49 TIE	46 / 54 TIE
All Grades	118333	R-1.9	43 / 49 TIE	47 / 54 TIE
60 or Better	2250	R-4.5	36 / 49 TIE	39 / 54 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	152500
All Grades	118333
60 or Better	2250

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-1.9
All Grades	R-1.9
60 or Better	R-4.5

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	42 / 49 TIE
All Grades	43 / 49 TIE
60 or Better	36 / 49 TIE

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	46 / 54 TIE
All Grades	47 / 54 TIE
60 or Better	39 / 54 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
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

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