1928 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

1928 Saint-Gaudens double eagles are the last of the “common” pre-1933 $20 gold coins. Though only struck at the Philadelphia mint, 8,816,000 were made, making it among the most common and most often-encountered double eagles in the entire series. The 1928 double eagle is relatively common in grades up through Mint-State 65 and is usually very well struck, ensuring good eye appeal for most pieces. Most 1928 Saint-Gaudens double eagles can be acquired in a grade of Extremely Fine-40 for a price of about $2,569 .

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

1928 Saint-Gaudens double eagles are named for their designer, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 to redesign the $20 gold coin. The Saint-Gaudens double eagle has since been dubbed the most beautiful gold coin the U.S. has ever produced, with a majestic image of Lady Liberty on the obverse and a flying eagle on the reverse. Given their high face value ($20 would be the equivalent of hundreds of dollars today), most Saint-Gaudens coins did not circulate very well and were mainly used for international trade.