1931 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC. An absolutely gorgeous execution of the Saint-Gaudens design that is enhanced by significant rarity. The surfaces are blanketed by lively satiny luster and even honey-gold coloration. Impressively sharp and smooth under a glass, appearing quite close to full Gem designation in-hand. Approval by CAC seems to corroborate this notion. A boldly struck example of from a large mintage of more than 2.9 million pieces, yet it is considered a key-date rarity today. Much of the mintage of this Depression-era issue was withheld from circulation and placed in storage, only to later be sent to the crucibles at the Mint during Roosevelts Bank Holiday of the early 1930s. Just about 125 unique examples remain for todays collector. The Bowers reference on the series refers to this date as "one of the key issues in the series" and calls it a "classic rarity," two comments that are inescapably accurate. Amazingly, virtually all of the specimens accounted for today are Mint State, though mostly at grades of MS-64 and lower. This MS-64+ (PCGS) CAC example is surely one of the more desirable survivors and is ideal for an advance Registry Set of the series.
