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Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

How to Find a 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

The 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle looks, on paper, like an ordinary coin—180,000 were struck at the Denver Mint. In practice, it’s the rarest collectible 20th-century United States gold coin of any denomination, with roughly 14 examples known to survive. A search returning no results for this coin is the expected outcome.

GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place, and lets you save a wishlist alert for coins that, realistically, may never appear in routine dealer inventory.

What makes the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle important to collectors?

Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s double eagle design, first struck in 1907, is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coins the United States Mint ever produced. The 1927-D issue, struck at the Denver Mint, had a substantial mintage of 180,000 coins—nothing unusual by the standards of the series.

What happened next is what makes it rare. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order requiring citizens and institutions to surrender gold coin and bullion to the Treasury, effectively ending gold coin circulation in the United States. Vast quantities of double eagles that were sitting unclaimed in bank and Federal Reserve vaults—including most of the Denver Mint’s 1927-D output, which had seen little demand for shipment out west—were melted down into gold bars rather than ever entering commerce.

The result, per PCGS CoinFacts: of 180,000 coins struck, only around 14 to 15 are known to survive today, most in high Mint State grades—strong evidence that the survivors were saved directly from Mint or Treasury holdings shortly after striking, rather than pulled from circulation later. Three examples are held in the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection. Numismatic researchers have noted that as recently as the 1970s, only a handful of examples were confirmed to exist, with the known population growing slowly as additional specimens surfaced and were authenticated.

Given that rarity, sales are rare and prices are extraordinary. A PCGS MS66 example from the Bob Simpson Collection sold for $4,440,000 at Heritage Auctions in August 2022. A PCGS MS65+ CAC example, the Fox-Duckor specimen, sold for $3,840,000 in January 2025. A PCGS MS67 example from the Phillip H. Morse Collection sold for $1,897,500 in November 2005.

How to identify a 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle

With only about 14 known examples, all individually documented, identification means confirming a coin against its known history.

Confirm the date and mint mark

The date “1927” appears on the obverse above the date line, with a small “D” mint mark on the obverse above the date, identifying it as a product of the Denver Mint. A 1927 double eagle without a mint mark (Philadelphia, common) or with an “S” mint mark (San Francisco, considerably more available than the Denver issue) is a different, far more affordable coin.

Recognize that every genuine example is already accounted for

Given how thoroughly the roughly 14 known survivors have been tracked, studied, and sold at major auctions over the decades, a coin presented as a newly discovered, previously unknown 1927-D would represent a major numismatic event—not something to expect from routine inventory.

Know the physical specifications

Per U.S. Mint records and PCGS CoinFacts, a Saint-Gaudens double eagle weighs 33.436 grams, measures 34mm in diameter, is struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, and has a lettered edge reading “E PLURIBUS UNUM” with stars. These specifications describe the type generally; matching them is a baseline check, not a substitute for pedigree verification on a coin this rare.

Watch for confusion with other 1927 double eagles

Regular 1927 Philadelphia double eagles are common and affordable, trading for a modest premium over their gold content in circulated and lower Mint State grades. Confirming the “D” mint mark carefully, rather than assuming any 1927-dated double eagle carries similar rarity, is essential.

Buying considerations

With only about 14 known examples, each already tracked through major collections and auction records, a genuine 1927-D reaching the market is major numismatic news covered by the specialist press—not a routine listing.

Certification and provenance are essential

At this value level, only consider a PCGS- or NGC-certified example, and verify the certification number and ownership history directly. Given the coin’s fame, any offer should be checked against the documented population of known specimens.

If your interest is Saint-Gaudens double eagles generally

The broader Saint-Gaudens double eagle series (1907–1933) includes many far more available dates and mints, offering a realistic way to own an example of this celebrated design without chasing its rarest single issue.

Suggested search terms and filters

Because a genuine 1927-D is unlikely to appear in routine inventory, consider:

Save “1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle” to your wishlist to be notified on the rare chance a genuine listing appears.

Availability and pricing notes

With only about 14 known examples, nearly all already held in tracked private and institutional collections, the 1927-D essentially never reaches ordinary dealer inventory. Recent notable sales include $4,440,000 (2022, PCGS MS66), $3,840,000 (2025, PCGS MS65+ CAC), and $1,897,500 (2005, PCGS MS67). Regular 1927 Philadelphia double eagles, by contrast, are common and trade for a modest premium over gold content.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that any listing represents a genuine example of a historic rarity. For a coin at this level, independent verification through a major grading service and established auction record is essential before treating any offer as credible.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

  1. Search for the coin. Enter “1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle” to check current dealer inventory.
  2. Expect no matches in nearly all cases. With only about 14 known examples, all already accounted for, this coin does not appear in routine dealer inventory.
  3. Add it to your wishlist anyway. You’ll be notified if participating dealer inventory ever includes a matching listing.
  4. Consider the broader Saint-Gaudens double eagle series instead. Searching “Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle” more generally will connect you with an actual, collectible early 20th-century gold series at far more realistic price points.

Frequently asked questions

How many 1927-D double eagles exist today?

Roughly 14 to 15, out of an original mintage of 180,000—making it the rarest collectible 20th-century U.S. gold coin of any denomination.

Why did so few survive?

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s executive order required the surrender of gold coin and bullion. Most 1927-D double eagles were still sitting unclaimed in bank and Federal Reserve vaults at the time and were melted into gold bars rather than ever circulating.

What has a 1927-D sold for?

Recent sales include $4,440,000 (2022, PCGS MS66), $3,840,000 (2025, PCGS MS65+ CAC), and $1,897,500 (2005, PCGS MS67).

Are all 1927 double eagles this rare?

No. The Philadelphia 1927 double eagle (no mint mark) is common and affordable. The San Francisco 1927-S is scarcer than Philadelphia but considerably more available than the Denver 1927-D. Only the Denver issue reaches this extreme level of rarity.

How can I tell if a listed 1927-D is genuine?

Every genuine example has a documented pedigree among the roughly 14 known specimens. A coin without a traceable ownership history and independent grading-service certification should be treated with serious skepticism.

No. With only about 14 known examples, treat any listing claiming to offer this coin with serious skepticism and verify independently through a major grading service before considering it credible.

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