Asking for some double eagle observations

Your humble narrator is somewhat stumped.

OK, really stumped.

The dilemma is this: Either buy a fairly common date Liberty or St. Gaudens in a high grade — or search out a less common (perhaps “better date”) in a lower grade — perhaps out of the MS grades?

I’d love to hear some observations and approaches from you more-experienced folks in this series.

FYI, I own an 1898-S and a 1914-D and considering adding another.

Thanks in advance to all!

 

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I love the liberty head design!
(as seen on my avatar)
If you are focusing on type collecting, purchase the best grade you can afford and sacrifice on the rarity

 

Better date AU58.
Myself will be on the hunt for a Type 1 Liberty after the first of the year.

 

I prefer the better dates

 

I would want a better date as well. Probably a Liberty. I don't really care for the look of these in lower MS grades. Something in Gem would be too much for me.
I would probably buy a really nice looking AU. Something with a little wear and as few marks as possible. Something pretty.

 

A common date in gem is better than a worn better date. These really don't have great eye appeal below a 64. Although if you can find an "AU64" for a better date jump on it.

 

I own an 1913S in AU55, which I like more than my other St.Gaudens in MS64/65.

This piece has a generous quotient of eye appeal. So it depends in the coin.

 

Since the reason I get gold coins is for my type set.
Hence I buy the best I can afford.
As for the Saints, mine are:
-- 1907 High Relief/Wire Rim NGC AU-50
-- 1908 No Motto NGC MS-64
-- 1924 Motto NGC MS-63

And as for my Liberty Head double eagles, they are:
-- 1852 No Motto NGC AU-53
-- 1870 TWENTY D. NGC XF-45
-- 1888 TWENTY DOLLARS NGC MS-61

I don't care for coins graded MS-60, -61 or -62 so my 1888 will probably be replaced in the future.
Definitely NOT with an MS-63 or better; WAY too expensive.
Most likely with an AU-55 or -58.

 

Thanks, everyone!

 

Since you already have the '14-D why not add a NO MOTTO piece?

 

I would agree with this because gem pieces will always be in demand from type collectors, but better date pieces depend on date/mint collectors and there are darn few of those when it comes to double eagles.

 

Great minds think alike. That’s at the top of the list now.

 

If I am buying it just for the gold then I go with an MS63/64 common date $20 coin. If I am buying to add to my gold coin collection then I go for dates that are more rare and go with the highest grade possible. I pay a little extra and get CAC coins. In gold they really do seem to be in a different class. I don't only buy CAC though of I come across a really nice coin. In Libs there are very few CAC's and the ones that have the bean are usually better looking coins.

I am currently working on gold mint sets. For example I have 1903S MS64+ CAC's in $5 and $10 and am looking for a $20. I have 1904 MS64+CAC's in $2.5, $5, and $20 and am looking for the $10. The crazy one is 1907 with two types at many of the denominations.

Good luck.

 

Being the guy that just sold all oh his double eagles to refinance my house to take ten years off of my mortgage, I would take any of them. But to me, and as others have stated, the higher grade pieces will always appeal to the type collectors and are generally the safer buy. I am partial to the classic Liberty design especially when they are PL which can be found at not much of a premium over a common date MS with a bit of searching.

 

Good to hear from you, Kirk. And, in case you care, I think you made a helluva good financial move.

 

The craftsmanship in these is great to look at. But that's where I'd stand. I'd rather have the best example of that craftsmanship than less on a scarcer date. I hope that makes sense. It does in my way of thinking, anyway.

 

I’ve been lurking around quite a bit lately but don’t post very often anymore. And yea, a no brainer, 30K will save me 170K over time. I sure miss that gold though.

 

Later, you’ll have 170k to buy gold.

 

Want to thank all the posters here for your counsel and advice!

 

A 1908 NM would be a keeper that probably won't go up or down in price much.
A 1907 (blind eagle - low relief) is a bit more rare and expensive but it's a 1st year coin, so that is kinda cool.

My favorite two are the 1920 & 1912 because they are a challenge to find in nice shape.