Diagnostic Controls & Presets Pre-1933 $20 Gold
Diagnostic Forensic Readings
Forensic Attribution Diagnostic
Real-time metallurgical and die variety cross-examination verified against certified populations.
Technical Breakdown: Physics, Metallurgy & Die Diagnostics
Actual Gold Weight (AGW) Formula
The $20 Double Eagle was authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849, specifying a gross weight of 33.436 grams (516 grains) at 0.900 gold and 0.100 copper:
High Relief Wire Rim Physics
Sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens modeled the 1907 design in ultra-high relief. To strike the initial MCMVII specimens, mint presses required up to 9 hydraulic blows under 172 metric tonnes of pressure.
Excess gold forced between the die and collar created an ultra-thin raised "wire rim" (fin) that sheared off in handling, requiring Charles Barber to lower the relief for mass steam production.
Executive Order 6102 Great Melt
On April 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102 forbidding the hoarding of gold coin, bullion, and certificates.
Almost the entire production of 445,500 1933 Double Eagles was melted into 100-ounce bars. Only one specimen (ex-King Farouk) was officially legalized by the US Government in 2002.
Documented Benchmark Auction Records
World record price for any coin sold at auction. The only legally owned 1933 gold double eagle.
Exquisite medallic strike with breathtaking three-dimensional sculptural relief.
Only approximately 18 known surviving specimens of the original 180,000 struck at Denver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold is in a Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle?
Every genuine $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle struck from 1907 to 1933 contains exactly 0.9675 troy ounces (30.093 grams) of pure gold. The coin has a total gross weight of 33.436 grams, composed of 90% pure gold and 10% copper alloy for structural durability.
Why was the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle sold for $18.9 million?
In 1933, the US went off the gold standard and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102. The entire 1933 Double Eagle production was melted into gold ingots before release. A handful were smuggled out, including one acquired by King Farouk of Egypt. Following decades of legal battles, the US Treasury issued a unique certificate of monetization for this single coin, selling for a record $18,872,250 at Sotheby's in 2021.
What is the difference between 1907 High Relief and Low Relief Double Eagles?
The 1907 High Relief (MCMVII in Roman numerals) required up to 9 hydraulic blows on medal presses to bring up Augustus Saint-Gaudens' deep sculpture. Because commercial banks could not stack them and production was impossibly slow, Chief Engraver Charles Barber lowered the relief and converted the date to Arabic numerals (1907/1908) for rapid steam-press production.
What does 'No Motto' mean on 1907 and 1908 Saint-Gaudens coins?
President Theodore Roosevelt considered placing 'IN GOD WE TRUST' on circulating money to be sacrilegious, as coins were spent in saloons and gambling dens. Consequently, the first 1907 and 1908 Double Eagles omitted the motto. Following public and Congressional outrage, Congress mandated the restoration of 'IN GOD WE TRUST' mid-year in 1908.
Why are 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles so rare despite a mintage of 180,000?
Although the Denver Mint struck 180,000 Double Eagles in 1927, there was almost zero commercial demand for $20 gold pieces in the western US. The coins remained stored in Treasury vaults until 1933, when virtually the entire mintage was melted down. Today, only approximately 15 to 18 certified specimens survive.
How can you detect counterfeit Saint-Gaudens gold coins?
Counterfeit Saint-Gaudens gold coins often exhibit soft, mushy star details, cast porosity under 20x magnification, wrong reed counts (genuine has 46 or 48 stars on lettered/reeded rims), and slight weight discrepancies on a 0.01g scale. Ultrasonic or Sigma Metalytics testing immediately flags gold plating or incorrect density.
Are common-date Saint-Gaudens coins priced strictly by their gold melt value?
Common dates (like 1924, 1927, and 1928) in grades of MS-62 or MS-63 generally trade at a modest 5% to 15% premium over their intrinsic 0.9675 oz gold melt value. However, in MS-65 (Gem) or higher, the numismatic premium increases significantly due to competitive registry set collecting.