Expert: Dan Moore - 1/20/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I would like some information on a Saint Gaudens $20 coin from 1927. I am a complete novice when it comes to coin collecting and am struggling to make sense of the resources available on the internet.

I suspect the coin is unminted as I can not see any markings around the "O" in "DOLLARS".

One thing I did notice is that the edging on the coin is different to that which is listed on several internet sites. The standard edging is like this: -

|******E|*PLURIBUS*|UNUM*****

However, the edging on my coin is slightly different. See below: -

|******E*|PLURIBUS*|UNUM*****

(Note the order of the "*" and "|" between "E" and "PLURIBUS".

I would appreciate any further information you could provide me with. If there is any additional information you need on the coin, please let me know.

Many thanks in advance,
Ian

ANSWER: Ian,

The mintmark on this coin would actually be above the date on the front -- see :

http://www.coinfacts.com/double_eagles/saint_gaudens_double_eagles/1927d_double_

The history of this coin can be found here :

http://www.coinsite.com/CoinSite-PF/pparticles/$20sntix.asp

As for the edge lettering I cannot help you -- try contacting an error coin dealer I know :

mike@mikebyers.com

Good luck,

Dan


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

QUESTION: Many thanks for your answer Dan - this is most appreciated. I have checked above the date on my coin but there is no mintmark so I guess this implies the coin was minted in Philadelphia?

I have sent an email to the error coin dealer you suggested asking if he is aware of the edge lettering.

One other question I have is how I would know whether my coin is the "1927", the "1927-D" or the "1927-S". Is there any way I can tell just be looking at the coin? The Coin Facts website also refers to an "MS" number which seems to have a significant bearing on the value of the coin. Again, is this something I can tell from the coin itself?

I am interested in getting this coin valued and would appreciate any advice you can give me on how I can best go about doing this?

Thanks again,

Ian.

Answer
Ian,

If it were a 1927-D or 1927-S, it would have the little D or S above the 1927.

The "MS" number refers to the condition, or "grade" of the coin.  While this is determined by looking at the coin, you need to have experience in grading these coins to accurately determnie its grade -- what to look for, where to look for evidence of wear, and exactly how many contact marks equate to the different grades -- not something an inexperienced person can do.  MS grades (60-70) are only assigned to coins that have never been circulated -- coins that do not exhibit any signs of wear.  MS-60 is a coin with lots of contact marks -- MS-70 is a coin that is absolutely perfect.  The fewer the marks and the stronger the strike, the higher the grade will be.  Circulated coins will get lower grades -- below MS-60.

Before you spend money on getting a common date coin certified, you should take it to a coin show and get the first-hand opinion of a few different dealers there.  No sense spending $50 on certifying a coin that won't grade high enough to be worth more money.  If you determine the coin to be worth spending the money to be certified, you should be able to find an authorized dealer at the show, who can submit the coin to PCGS or NGC for you.

You may be able to find a listing for a local coin show at one of these websites :
www.coinshows.com
www.coinworld.com

I hope this helps,

Dan