Numismatic

1908 $20 St Gaudens Gold No Motto MS-67 NGC (Wells Fargo)

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The 1908 Saint-Gaudens double eagle represents a striking moment in American numismatic history, notable both for its design variations and its remarkable survival story. This particular twenty dollar gold piece belongs to the "No Motto" variety, meaning it lacks the traditional religious inscription. On its obverse, the figure of Liberty strides forward holding a lit torch and an olive branch, set against the backdrop of the United States Capitol building. The reverse showcases a majestic eagle soaring through the sky with the sun shining behind it. Beyond its artistic merit, this coin carries an extraordinary provenance. It was once part of a massive accumulation of over 15,000 gold coins hidden away by a collector in 1917. Because they were secured in a Nevada bank vault belonging to Wells Fargo, these coins managed to escape the federal gold confiscation order of 1933. Surrounded by gold dust, the coins remained untouched for decades, eventually being resealed in the early 1970s before their discovery in Las Vegas during the early 1990s. This legendary hoard was finally examined and distributed in 1996, offering modern enthusiasts a direct link to a preserved vault of early twentieth-century gold.