Numismatic

1908 $20 St Gaudens Gold Double Eagle No Motto MS-64 PCGS

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In 1908, the Philadelphia Mint produced a striking version of the twenty-dollar gold piece that remains a marvel of American coinage. This specific issue is notable for its clean design, omitting the religious motto that would later become standard on the series. Struck in 0.900 fine gold, the coin contains 0.9675 troy ounces of precious metal and represents a legendary era of United States coinage that spanned from 1907 to 1933. The visual artistry of Augustus Saint-Gaudens is fully realized on both sides of this impressive gold piece. On the obverse, a powerful representation of Lady Liberty strides forward, bathed in the dramatic rays of a rising sun. The reverse is equally dynamic, capturing a majestic bald eagle mid-flight above a glowing sunburst. Boldly inscribed on the reverse are the words "United States of America" and the face value, "Twenty Dollars." This particular specimen has been certified in Mint State 64 (MS-64) condition, preserving the exquisite details of the original engraving. The absence of the motto on this 1908 issue offers a direct look at the sculptor's original aesthetic vision for the double eagle, making it a captivating subject of study for anyone interested in the intersection of art and monetary history.