Numismatic

1908 $20 St Gaudens Gold No Motto MS-66 NGC (Wells Fargo)

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The 1908 twenty-dollar gold coin stands as a remarkable achievement in American coinage, featuring the famous artistic vision of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. On the obverse, Liberty strides forward carrying an olive branch and a lit torch, with the United States Capitol building visible in the distance. The reverse showcases a majestic eagle flying through the sky, set against the rays of a rising sun. This specific variety is notable for lacking the traditional religious motto. Beyond its striking design, this coin carries an extraordinary provenance linked to a massive treasure discovered in the early 1990s. In 1917, an individual gathered a vast accumulation of these twenty-dollar gold pieces and concealed them away. The treasure, which exceeded 15,000 gold coins in total, was secured inside a Wells Fargo bank vault located in Nevada. To protect the hoard, the coins were wrapped in paper rolls, packed into canvas sacks, and sealed inside screw-top containers. When investigators first opened these containers, they found the contents enveloped in fine gold dust. Among this massive cache, nearly 10,000 of the 1908 No Motto coins emerged in exceptional condition, certified at a grade of Mint State 66 (MS-66) or even higher. This spectacular hoard was eventually brought to light and distributed to the public in 1996, offering enthusiasts a rare glimpse at pristine gold coins that remained untouched for generations.