$20 Saint Gaudens No Motto MS65 (Dates Vary)

Introduction

The $20 Saint-Gaudens No Motto Gold Double Eagle is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Offered in Gem Mint State 65 with dates varying, these remarkable pre-1933 gold coins combine exceptional preservation with one of the most celebrated designs in American numismatic history. Their artistic significance, historical importance, and substantial gold content make them highly desirable among both collectors and investors.

History

Introduced in 1907, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was born from President Theodore Roosevelt's vision to elevate the artistic quality of American coinage. Roosevelt commissioned renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the nation's gold coins, resulting in what many consider the pinnacle of United States coin design.

The earliest issues of the series were struck without the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST, earning them the "No Motto" designation. Following public debate and congressional action, the motto was added to the reverse beginning later in 1908. As a result, No Motto Double Eagles were produced only during the series' inaugural years, making them especially desirable to collectors. Certified MS65 examples represent outstanding survivors, displaying exceptional luster, sharp detail, and eye appeal more than a century after they were struck.

Design

The obverse features a full-length depiction of Liberty confidently striding forward while holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Behind her, the rays of the rising sun illuminate the United States Capitol, while forty-six stars surround the design to represent the number of states in the Union when the coin was introduced. Saint-Gaudens' dynamic composition remains one of the most iconic images in American numismatics.

The reverse depicts a majestic bald eagle soaring above the rising sun, symbolizing America's strength, optimism, and progress. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TWENTY DOLLARS, and E PLURIBUS UNUM complete the design. On No Motto examples, the absence of IN GOD WE TRUST distinguishes these early issues from later Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles.