Description
1927 $20 Saint Gaudens PCGS MS66
PCGS # 9186
Grading Service PCGS
Grade MS66
Mint Location Philadelphia
Year 1927
Designation NONE
Strike Business
Grade Add On NONE
1927 $20 Saint Gaudens PCGS MS66
1927 $20
SKU: 83089359
Superb Gem quality with outstanding visual appeal, the 1927 Saint-Gaudens double eagle is among the most attractive issues in this celebrated gold series.
Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ celebrated design appears here in its full, high-style grandeur. The obverse features Liberty striding confidently forward, torch in her right hand and olive branch in her left, with the rays of the rising sun behind and the Capitol at lower left. Forty-six stars encircle the border, while the date 1927 is placed prominently at the lower right. The reverse presents a majestic flying eagle above the sun’s rays, accompanied by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS, with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST above. Struck at Philadelphia, this example represents the classic No Motto subtype as modified for regular production in the later years of the series.
Certified PCGS MS66, this coin displays the superior surface quality and eye appeal expected of a premium Gem. The issue is well known for its sharp striking characteristics, and examples at this level typically show strong definition throughout Liberty’s figure and the eagle’s plumage. Frosty to softly satiny luster is a hallmark of the date, and the present piece should be especially appealing for its rich yellow-gold to greenish-gold coloration, a look frequently associated with high-end 1927 double eagles. Surface preservation in MS66 is notably refined, with only minimal contact consistent with the grade, and the overall impression is one of exceptional freshness and balance.
Within the Saint-Gaudens series, the 1927 holds a special place. It is widely recognized as the second most available date after the 1924, yet it is also regarded by many specialists as one of the most beautiful issues of the type. The date is admired for its consistently strong luster, appealing color, and superior average eye appeal, often surpassing the typical 1924, 1925, and 1926 in sheer visual presence. Only a few dates, such as the 1923-D and 1928, are often mentioned in the same breath for comparable attractiveness. As a result, the 1927 enjoys enduring popularity among both type collectors and advanced Saint-Gaudens enthusiasts seeking a high-grade representative of this iconic American gold design.
Population data further underscores its collectibility in this grade. PCGS reports 7,027 examples in MS66, with 419 graded finer. While not rare as a date in the absolute sense, premium Gems remain highly desirable because of the broad collector base for Saint-Gaudens double eagles and the constant demand for visually impressive, certified examples. This is a date that combines availability with undeniable aesthetic merit, making it an especially practical and rewarding choice for collectors building a high-quality gold type set or an advanced run of Saint-Gaudens twenties.
An impressively preserved and visually compelling 1927 double eagle, this PCGS MS66 example offers the classic beauty, technical quality, and lasting collector demand that define the Saint-Gaudens series at its best.