The 30-second version
Every Saint-Gaudens double eagle contains 0.9675 troy oz of pure gold. At current spot prices, a common-date Saint trades for ~$3,200–$3,500— a small premium over melt. Better dates and high-grade examples bring $5,000–$50,000+, and the great rarities reach into the millions.
A brief history
Theodore Roosevelt commissioned Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign U.S. gold coinage in 1905. The resulting $20 piece — struck from 1907 to 1933 — was, and is, the standard against which U.S. coin design is judged. Production ended after FDR’s 1933 gold recall, and the surviving 1933 issue is one of the most valuable coins in the world.
Mint marks and design types
- 1907 Ultra High Relief, MCMVII High Relief, MCMVII Low Relief— transitional first-year issues. The Ultra High Relief is a pattern-like rarity (about 24 known); MCMVII High Relief is attainable but pricey; the lower-relief regular issue followed for production efficiency.
- 1907–1908 No Motto— struck beforeIN GOD WE TRUST was restored to the reverse.
- 1908–1933 With Motto— the standard production design.
Mint marks appear on the obverse, above the date:
- (blank) — Philadelphia.
- D — Denver.
- S — San Francisco.
Key dates and rarities
- MCMVII High Relief (1907)— a stunning design rendered in extreme relief. About 11,000 struck. AU: $15,000–$25,000. Mint State: $30,000–$150,000+.
- 1907 Ultra High Relief— ~24 known survivors. Each is worth over $1,500,000.
- 1920-S— tough in any Mint State grade. AU: $5,000–$10,000. Mint State: $25,000–$150,000+.
- 1921— low mintage Philadelphia issue. AU: $8,000–$15,000; Mint State into the hundreds of thousands.
- 1927-D— only about 20 known to survive the 1933 gold recall. Any example is worth $1,000,000–$2,000,000+.
- 1929, 1930-S, 1931, 1931-D, 1932— late-date rarities. Each in Mint State runs $20,000–$100,000+.
- 1933— the legendary issue. All but a handful were melted under the 1933 gold recall; surviving examples are technically illegal to own except for one government-monetized specimen sold at auction for $18.9 million in 2021.
Common dates: pricing
Most Saints in collections are common dates — 1908 No Motto, 1922–1928 Philadelphia and San Francisco issues. These trade close to gold spot:
- Worn (VF–XF): right around melt, ~$3,100–$3,300.
- About Uncirculated (AU): $3,200–$3,500.
- Mint State 60–62: $3,400–$3,800.
- Mint State 63–64: $3,800–$5,500.
- Gem (MS-65): $6,500–$15,000+ depending on date.
- Superb Gem (MS-66/67): $25,000–$250,000+.
Saints are extremely sensitive to gold spot. The numbers above assume gold around $3,300–$3,500/oz; check today’s spot if you’re estimating.
Bag marks and originality
Most Saints spent time in bank vaults bumping against other $20 gold coins, so even Mint State examples typically show significant contact marks (“bag marks”) on the fields. Truly clean, original specimens are rare and command big premiums. Conversely, any sign of cleaning, polishing, or whizzing sharply reduces value — a 30–60% haircut, sometimes more.
What to do next
- Do not clean. Do not polish. Do not even touch the surfaces if you can help it — hold by the edges only.
- Note the date and mint mark. Anything other than common dates (1908 No Motto, 1922–1928 P/S) warrants closer attention.
- Photograph the obverse and reverse under indirect light. Avoid flash glare.
- Send the photos to a working numismatist for a free appraisal, or arrange in-person handling for a Saint collection of any meaningful size.
Selling a double eagle or other gold coinage? We price gold coins against live spot.
Common questions
How much gold is in a Saint-Gaudens double eagle?
Each Saint contains 0.9675 troy oz of pure gold (the rest of the 33.43g weight is copper alloy for durability). The melt value alone makes each one worth thousands at current gold prices.
Is it legal to own a 1933 Saint-Gaudens?
With one exception, no. The U.S. government considers all 1933 double eagles federal property because none were officially released. The single legally-monetized specimen sold at auction in 2021. If you believe you have a genuine 1933, do not advertise it — contact a numismatist privately first.
Are Saints a good way to buy gold bullion?
They're a decent way — you get the metal plus collector value, and Mint State common dates often hold a higher premium than generic gold rounds. The downside: the premium also means you pay more upfront than for pure bullion. For pure bullion exposure, American Gold Eagles or Buffalos are simpler.
Related guides
Peace silver dollar values: dates, mintmarks, and grades
Peace dollars (1921–1935) range from $25 to $200,000+ depending on date and grade. The 1921 high relief and 1928 Philadelphia are the keys.
Read →Mercury dime values: key dates, Full Bands, and overdates
Mercury dimes (1916–1945) are 90% silver. The 1916-D is the series key (worth $1,000+); the 1942/1 overdate is the prize variety. Full Bands designations command big premiums.
Read →Buffalo nickel values: Type 1, Three Legs, and missing dates
Buffalo nickels (1913–1938) have classic key dates (1913-S Type 2, 1937-D Three Legs) but many are 'dateless' from wear. Here's how each is priced.
Read →Have Saint-Gaudens double eagles to sell?
Send a few photos and we’ll tell you exactly what each is worth — with full transparency on the gold spot calculation. For collections of any size, in-person handling is available. Free, no obligation.