St. Gaudens Gold Coin: Sizes, History, & Best Places to Buy

The St. Gaudens Gold coin is collected for its artistry and historic significance.

It was commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt and minted from 1907 to 1933.

Though its numismatic value makes it popular, premiums can be high.

Read on to see if the St. Gaudens coin is a good investment.

About the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

The St. Gaudens Double Eagle coin was commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907.

The coin was created to improve the quality of U.S. coins and enhance their appeal.

History

In an effort to improve the reputation of American coinage, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned the creation of a new coin in 1904.

Sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was hired to design the coin for the project.

The St. Gaudens Double Eagle coin was introduced in 1907 and continued to be produced until 1933.

The coin ceased production at the height of the Great Depression when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102 prohibiting private ownership of gold. 

The intricate design had to be modified for mass production and some coins were melted down, making some variations of the St. Gaudens coin a rare find for collectors.

The coin had a face value of $20 until the passage of the 1934 Gold Reserves Act which declared gold coins were no longer legal tender.

Today it is recognized for its artistry and as a symbol of the golden age of American coinage.

Design

Due to its complex design, the St. Gaudens Double is one of the most celebrated collectable American coins. 

The coin obverse features Lady Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, moving forward against rays of sunlight.

The inscription reads:

• LIBERTY
• Date

The obverse features an eagle in flight.

The inscription reads:

• UNITED STATES of AMERICA
• TWENTY DOLLARS

The first coins were minted in 1907 and included the date represented as Roman numerals. The date was eventually changed to Arabic numerals.

The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added to coins minted after 1908 due to public demand. “E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed along the edge rather than the coin’s face.

The design changed once in 1912 when New Mexico and Arizona became states, increasing the star count on the American flag to 48.

The obverse design of Lady Liberty has stood the test of time. It was selected to be featured on the American Eagle coin in 1986.

Minting & Distribution

The original 1907 coins are rare and highly sought after. They did not include the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” and required nine strikes from the press to achieve the desired high relief. 

Because these coins were difficult to produce, only 12,367  of these coins were minted.

After 1907, the coins transitioned to a lower relief design that required 11 strikes. 

The coins were primarily minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

The Denver coins have a “D” mint mark while the San Francisco coins have an “S” mint mark. Coins minted in Philadelphia have no mint mark.

The rarest coin is the 1933 Double Eagle. Only 445,000 were produced and none were circulated. All but two were ordered to be melted down but it is believed around 40 survived. 

Two of these coins are held in the U.S. National Numismatic Collection and 10 are held in the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox.

One has been sold between private collectors and is the most expensive coin ever to be sold. 

Other coins have been subsequently melted down or have left the United States.

The Secret Service has been tasked with finding the whereabouts of the remaining coins which are currently unknown.

Proof versions of the coin were also minted in limited quantities.

Best Places to Buy St. Gaudens Coins

I’ve listed my top 3 favorite places online that I like to buy my St. Gaudens coins from.

Goldco

Goldco is a reputable precious metals dealer that offers eligible coins, like the St. Gaudens coin. Coins can be purchased directly on Goldco’s website.

JM Bullion

JM Bullion is a Dallas-based online precious metals retailer with more than a decade of experience. Investors can purchase St Gaudens coins directly from the company’s website.

APMEX

Founded in 2000, APMEX is an online precious metals marketplace offering the St Gaudens coin.

Are Saint-Gaudens coins a good investment?

The St. Gaudens Gold coin is popular among collectors for its historic significance and collectible value.

While it’s a sought after piece for collectors, its high gold content and rarity means it commands a higher premium than other gold bullion coins. 

Evaluate your personal goals to determine whether or not it makes sense to add this coin to your portfolio.