Best Looking Saint-Gaudens At MS65/64 Level ?

Hey folks....I had my heart set on looking for a nice 1923-D for some time now and will definitely be scouting one out at FUN in a few weeks.

But doing some research, I saw some other coins that also looked really satiny and golden like the 1922 (I think it was an MS64 or MS64+) and the 1911-D. I already have a gem quality 1927 and 1924.

For you Double Eagle or Saint veterans with more experience than me: what COMMON year and/or mint marks for a Saint-Gaudens would you say in MS65 or up to the $2,500 - $3,000 price level would you say is going to stand out aesthetically in a case with other coins that causes you to say "Hey, that one is really nice and shiny or golden"? in a display case.

Ideally, I'm looking at the MS65 level (maybe drop down to 64 since some non-common coins show a big jump from 64 to 65) but if you can make a case for a coin even down to AU58....I'm listening.

 

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I wouldn't buy a common date saint below a 65. Best looking for the price for a common date, go for a 65+/66.

 

In my opinion Saints are the most important coin to buy in person. There are a gazillion MS64-66 Saints out there, if you're going to buy something that common it should be one that wows you in person.

So I wouldn't limit yourself to specific dates that have the look you're after, since you're going to be at FUN you'll have literally thousands of coins to sort through and grab the one that speaks to you the most.

Good luck!

 

Don't turn a blind eye to the Saints slabbed less than 64. There are some very eye catching 63's out there too. This happens to be one of my more enjoyable coins. The luster of this one just knocks my socks off and it is a 63.

 

No problem with that logic, it just restricts me to those coins that avoid a big price jump at the MS65 (or 66) level.

 

Wow...that IS a nice coin with lots of luster. What knocked it down to a 63, Randy ?

 

It was slabbed in the 1980's and standards were a bit stricter. If I sent it in today, I am sure it would come back 65. That's really rather meaningless for a common day Saint, and I rather like the old green holder. I should have posted this previously, but the reverse is more striking than the obverse. Wish I could take better photos!

 

Randy, my photos aren't as good as most on Ebay or the HA photos (the best, IMO)....but what I do is I use a black tarp on a table and then use my Galaxy S9 with the close-in focus (for objects less than 18" I think, it's one of the default settings). I angle the slabs a bit using one of those Wizard wood box holders or something else (a remote ?) to avoid glare.

Hope that helps.

 

This is great advice. Strike characteristics vary enough at the same grade that you want to see the coin in hand.

 

Oh absolutely....I've been doing alot of reading and goving over Doug's analysis of a bunch of HA Saints that I posted where the final auction prices varied a ton to be able to discern alot closer.

 

Old holders often contain nice coins. I regret not buying a ms 64 27 that was $500 overpriced a couple years ago that was in a doily pcgs. My favorite date that’s a little better but can be had for the prices your looking at is the 1907 no motto. A lower mintage that was saved as first year of issue and can be had nice

 

I’m a huge fan of the luster on 1914 and 1915 issues

 

Guys, how this got a 66 is beyond me...maybe it "turned" after it was graded ?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1923-D-St-...109241?hash=item4da26683f9:g:pm0AAOSwG7ld89VF

What do you think is causing the "cloudy" appearance ? I've never seen that. I've seen copper spots but this is.....

 

This is one of those cases where you are reading something in a photograph that isn’t there. That is a well struck and quite lovely Saint. I think the luster is so deep that in a still photo, it looks like something other than luster.

 

You think ? Could be....but if that was the case, then I would think the asking price would have been HIGHER and not 20-25% over MS65 levels, Randy.

But another reason why on classic gold I won't spend 4-figures on a coin unless I have a return option and/or know the seller.

 

I like to find 66's at least for more common dates on the Saint's. Heres 2 I grabbed in the past...

 

I'm shooting for a 66 for a 1923-D, Jay....what has been interesting is that the variation in quality (and price !!) is much greater than what I have seen on other commons.

 

The grading on $20 St. Gaudens coins can be all over the place. That's why you have to buy them in person if you are really looking for great eye appeal.

@Randy Abercrombie, that 1908 No Motto Saint is really nice. That date often comes with indifferent strikes and luster. This is the first $20 gold piece I purchased when I was young collector. I bought it circa 1965. It is now in an NGS MS-64 holder. It has satin luster which is more typical for this date and variety.

 

There is a bit of subtle toning on the coin, which shows it is original. It graded 66 because the strike is flawless, and the luster is literally dripping off this coin. That is an amazing piece. If you were to see it in hand, I'll bet you'd wonder why it wasn't 67.

 

Maybe, but it's kind of strange nobody is grabbing/bidding on it at under $3,000 when some 66's, 66+'s, and 66 CACs all went for $3,500 - $5,300 in the last 6 months.