1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagles are exceptionally rare, despite being produced in high number early on. When the United States Mint struck the double eagle in 1921, the United States was experiencing a post-World War I recession, and most denominations were struck in limited quantities. However, 528,500 Saint-Gaudens double eagles were made, which is sizable considering that the coin’s $20 face value would be the equivalent of hundreds of dollars today.

So, why is the 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle – a coin that was made by the hundreds of thousands – now considered rare? Most of the run was eventually returned to the U.S. Mint and subsequently melted in the 1930s. Because of that, the 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is now worth more than $40,000 in the middle circulated grades and is definitely more of a numismatic collector coin than one chosen by investors for their bullion value alone.

Below are specifics about the Saint-Gaudens double eagle:

• Face Value: $20

• Overall Mass: 33.436 grams

• Diameter: 34 millimeters

• Edge: Lettered, “E PLURIBUS UNUM”

• Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper

• Gold: .96750 troy ounces

Many coin collectors bypass the 1921 Saint-Gaudens double eagle because of their great expense. Very few collectors are financially able to obtain a complete date-and-mintmark set of Saint-Gaudens double eagles.