Coin Details - $20 Saint-Gaudens

$20 Saint-Gaudens Historic Gold Coin
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$20 Saint-Gaudens Gold Coin Description

This rare gold coin takes its name from its designer, the famous American sculptor - Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Its name is often shortened to "$20 Saint" or "$20 St. Gaudens" within the rare gold coin collecting world.  This last circulating $20 gold piece is considered to be one of the most beautiful rare United States gold coins. Whether you are an avid rare gold coin collector or an individual looking for long-term growth potential for your financial portfolio, the Saint-Gaudens double eagle's* unmatched beauty and rich history makes this a coin worthy of consideration.

* Gold coin collectors refer to $10 gold pieces as "Eagles" and $20 gold coins as "Double Eagles."

Designing the St. Gaudens Gold Coin

In an effort to embellish the nation's more standard gold coin designs, President Teddy Roosevelt called for coins whose beauty rivaled those of Ancient Greece and Rome. Accordingly, President Roosevelt turned to his friend and America's foremost sculptor, Augustus-Saint-Gaudens, to design new $20 and $10 gold coins.  You may be familiar with some of Saint-Gaudens' more famous sculptures, which include "Standing Lincoln" in Chicago's Lincoln Park or the General Sherman Civil War monument in New York's Central Park.

The obverse depicts Liberty holding a staff and olive branch as she walks from the sun. The date appears to the viewer's right of Liberty (the date appeared in Roman numerals "MCMVII" on a portion of the coins minted in 1907). The word 'LIBERTY' arcs above her. Stars representing the number of states in the union (46 from 1907-11 and 48 from 1912-33) curve around the rim.

The reverse of the $20 St. Gaudens gold coin features a bald eagle gliding across the sun. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TWENTY DOLLARS" span across the top of the coin. Although, it did not appear on the coin in 1907 or the first half of 1908 (see below), the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" lies underneath the eagle.

$20 Saint-Gaudens Coin Minting Information

The first $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coins ever minted were a "trial" coin never intended for circulation.  Only approximately 16-22 of these specimens were minted.  Each coin was relatively thick and struck in what is called "Ultra High Relief", giving the appearance of a medal rather than a coin.  These experimental pieces had a much higher relief than later issues and connected directly to the edge without a border, resulting in a very sharp appearance.  Only a few of these coins are available today.  Later in 1907 and continuing through 1933, these gold coins were struck in flat relief.

"In God We Trust" Coin Inscription

Although the newly minted $20 Saint-Gaudens coin was ready for circulation in 1907, an important inscription was omitted: "In God We Trust" (hence the name "No Motto"). Although our country's motto had appeared on almost every gold coin minted for the previous 100 years, President Roosevelt felt that the Lord's name should not appear on coins that could be used in transactions in brothels, saloons, and gambling halls, making them "close to sacrilege".

At first, the President's order was followed: none of the 1907 and only a small portion of the rare 1908 $20 St. Gaudens gold coins included the motto. Despite his motivations, the public - and Congress - construed the omission of this motto as an attack on religion. The resulting uprorar quickly led to a Congressional Act restoring the inscription of "In God We Trust" in mid-1908. The motto remained until the government stopped striking gold coins for circulation in 1933.