Expert: Ronald Fern - 10/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: This coin has the symbal mcmvii where the date goes.  on the reverse i doesn't have "in god we trust" it also has a ring around the edges?I would like to know what it is or if it may be fake? thanks mike

ANSWER: Hi Michael:

The U.S. $20 gold coin was struck in the Coronet Head design and the St. Gauden's design in 1907. The Coronet Head had the regular date we are familiar with on our coinage. The St. Gauden's design had roman numerals instead of the regular numbers. Your "MCMVII is 1907 in ROMAN NUMERALS. There was no motto, "In God We Trust" on the reverse design of the St. Gauden coin for the year of 1907. 1908 had coins stuck both with and without the motto. After 1908, all $20 gold St. Gauden's coins had the motto. The St. Gauden's coins were struck with flat edges, if that is what you mean by ring, rather than a lettered edge or reeding. The lettered edge was used for the 1907 proof in high relief, but is extremely rare.

The approximate retail value of the St. Gauden's $20 gold coin, according to "Coin Values" is in the $1500 to $1600 range, but with gold "hot", and trading at the $1100 a troy ounce level, the coin could bring a little more. You may want to take it to a local coin shop to see if it's good. Dealer's should offer an opinion of the coin's grade and value for no charge.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i forgot to say that it has a 3inch diameter. does that make a differents?

Answer
Hi Again Michael:


Yes, that makes a difference. It's too large for the mint struck U.S. $20 gold coin. It may be either a clad or silver coin plated in gold. Can you weigh it? It's highly unlikely it's the real coin. Here's a link with some interesting facts on the coin: http://www.goldline.com/coins/product/saint-gaudens.html

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.