It appears you have high security settings or Javascript disabled.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but our website will not function correctly for you until you enable Javascript.

1909-S $20 MS66 Certification #30134662, PCGS #9153

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1909-S is a common issue in anything less than gem condition. Several rather large hoards of Uncirculated examples have been uncovered, including several thousand pieces in Central America in 1983. Gem quality coins are very scarce but certainly not rare, and I have seen quite a few that graded a full MS-65 over the years. There are also a few exceptional quality examples of this issue known that are distinctly better than MS-65. The MS-65+ to MS-67 Eliasberg coin comes first to mind, and I have seen others. Overall, I find this issue to be somewhat more elusive in high grade than any of the other early San Francisco Mint issues except the 1908-S and 1913-S.

Most 1909-S double eagles are very sharply struck and have "soft" frosty surfaces and some granularity. A few are rather satiny, but I have never seen one with the super satiny finish that is present on some specimens of the 1908-S. Lustre is good to very good but seldom really exceptional. Color, however, is a strong point with most specimens having very appealing greenish gold to light rose or orange color. Many specimens have distinctly "rounded" rims.

PCGS #

9153

Designer

Augustus Saint Gaudens

Edge

Lettered

Diameter

34.00 millimeters

Weight

33.40 grams

Mintage

2774925

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

7248

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	71666	R-2.2	39 / 49	42 / 54
All Grades	23333	R-2.7	35 / 49 TIE	38 / 54 TIE
60 or Better	1000	R-5.0	33 / 49	36 / 54

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	71666
All Grades	23333
60 or Better	1000

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-2.2
All Grades	R-2.7
60 or Better	R-5.0

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	39 / 49
All Grades	35 / 49 TIE
60 or Better	33 / 49

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	42 / 54
All Grades	38 / 54 TIE
60 or Better	36 / 54

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
3	MS66+ PCGS grade	“Fox” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
4	MS66 PCGS grade	David Akers - Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Heritage 1/2012:4611, $34,500
4	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 7/2015:3398, $22,912.50 - "Fox" Collection

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

#3 MS66+ PCGS grade

“Fox” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#4 MS66 PCGS grade

David Akers - Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Heritage 1/2012:4611, $34,500

#4 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 7/2015:3398, $22,912.50 - "Fox" Collection