The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle: America’s Most Beautiful Coin and the Story It Tells

When you hold a Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle in your hand, you’re not just holding a piece of gold—you’re holding a masterpiece born from ambition, artistry, and a pivotal era in American history. It’s not hyperbole to say this coin changed everything. Some call it the most beautiful coin the U.S. has ever produced. But what’s the story behind this legendary gold piece? And why has it captivated collectors and investors for over a century?

Let’s take a walk through history to discover what makes the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle a true American treasure.

A President’s Vision: Theodore Roosevelt’s “Pet Crime”

At the dawn of the 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t content with America’s coinage. He thought U.S. coins looked uninspired, even boring. And he was right. Compared to the classical coins of ancient Greece, American coins lacked artistry. So Roosevelt set out on a mission to change that.

In 1905, he reached out to Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the era, and asked him to redesign America’s gold coins. Roosevelt famously called the project his “pet crime,” and he was deeply involved in seeing it through. The result was the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a $20 gold coin that redefined American coinage forever.

The Artist Behind the Icon

Saint-Gaudens was no ordinary artist. He was already famous for his monuments and sculptures, like the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in Boston and the Standing Lincoln in Chicago. But he had never designed a coin before. That didn’t stop him.

Saint-Gaudens took inspiration from ancient Greek coinage and classical sculpture to design a gold coin that embodied liberty, strength, and optimism. He wanted the coin to reflect the spirit of America at its peak, a young, growing nation bursting with energy.

The result? A breathtaking obverse featuring Lady Liberty striding forward with a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. Her flowing robes and commanding stance evoke both classical beauty and national power. Behind her, rays of sunlight explode across the background, while the U.S. Capitol building sits at her feet.

The reverse side of the coin is just as stunning. A bold American eagle soars across the sky at sunrise, symbolizing freedom and flight toward a bright future.

A Coin Like No Other

The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle wasn’t just a visual triumph. It was also a technical challenge.

Saint-Gaudens originally designed the coin in ultra high relief, which made the design stand out in near-sculptural detail. The problem? It was nearly impossible to mass-produce. Each ultra-high relief coin required multiple strikes to bring out the full depth of the design. While a few dozen of these magnificent pieces were struck in 1907, they proved too impractical for regular use.

The U.S. Mint had to modify the design to lower relief versions, which still maintained incredible beauty but could be produced more efficiently. The first circulating Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles were minted in 1907, and production continued with some design tweaks until 1933.

The 1933 Mystery: The Coin That Wasn’t Meant to Be

Here’s where the story takes a dramatic turn.

In 1933, during the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102, effectively outlawing private gold ownership in the U.S. The government wanted to stabilize the economy and pull gold out of circulation.

Although over 445,000 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles were struck at the Philadelphia Mint that year, none were officially released for circulation. The coins were supposed to be melted down, and most were.

But somehow, a few 1933 Double Eagles slipped through the cracks.

For decades, they became the stuff of legend, popping up in private collections and sparking legal battles between the U.S. government and collectors. One of these coins made headlines in 2002 when it sold at auction for $7.59 million. Another broke records again in 2021, selling for an astounding $18.9 million, becoming the most expensive coin ever sold.

These 1933 Double Eagles are more than rare. They’re iconic, mysterious, and wrapped in controversy. And they’ve only added to the legend of the Saint-Gaudens design.

A Favorite Among Collectors and Investors

The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle isn’t just a pretty face. It’s also a favorite for gold investors and numismatists alike. Containing nearly one full ounce of gold (0.9675 troy oz), the coin has intrinsic value tied to the price of gold.

But unlike modern bullion coins, Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles also carry historic and collectible premiums. Their value isn’t just based on gold weight. It’s shaped by the coin’s condition, mint year, and rarity. That’s why a circulated example might fetch a modest premium over melt value, while a rare date or mint state piece can command thousands or even millions of dollars.

Why the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Still Matters

What makes this coin so special, even today?

It’s more than beauty. More than gold. The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle tells a uniquely American story. It’s a story of art pushing boundaries, of presidents with bold visions, of economic upheaval and recovery. It’s a coin that came from a golden age, both literally and figuratively, and continues to shine more than 100 years later.

Collectors chase it for its design. Investors seek it for its gold content. Historians admire it for what it represents: a moment in time when America set out to elevate even the smallest objects, like pocket change, into something extraordinary.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your journey into rare coins and precious metals, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle deserves a spot on your radar. It’s the kind of coin that doesn’t just sit in a display case. It starts conversations, inspires awe, and connects you to a pivotal chapter in American history.

If you’re looking to add this iconic coin to your collection or want to explore other rare gold coins, reach out to a reputable dealer with experience in high-grade numismatics. At Blanchard, we’ve helped clients secure exceptional pieces like the Saint-Gaudens for over 50 years. Let us help you find yours.