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The 1925 $20 Gold St. Gaudens Double Eagle, certified in MS65 by PCGS in the iconic "Rattler" holder, is a remarkable example of one of the most beautiful and highly regarded coins in American numismatic history. Designed by the legendary sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the Double Eagle was first issued in 1907 and is widely considered to be the most beautiful U.S. coin ever minted. The 1925 issue falls within the prime years of production for this iconic series, a time when the coin was struck in significant quantities, but few examples remain in such high grades today. The PCGS Rattler holder, an early type of holder used by PCGS in the 1980s, adds an additional layer of collectibility to this coin, as it is a reminder of the early days of third-party coin grading. The combination of the coin’s history, design, and the desirable MS65 grade in a Rattler holder makes this 1925 St. Gaudens Double Eagle a standout piece for any collector.
The obverse of the 1925 $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle features a full-length image of Liberty, striding confidently forward, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Behind her are the rays of a rising sun, symbolizing the dawn of a new era, and to her right, the U.S. Capitol building can be seen in the background. The word "LIBERTY" is inscribed at the top of the coin, and 46 stars encircle the design, representing the number of states in the Union at the time. The date "1925" is located just to the right of Liberty’s foot. Saint-Gaudens’ depiction of Liberty is powerful and dynamic, conveying both grace and strength. In MS65 condition, the intricate details of the design are well-preserved, with Liberty’s flowing gown, the sharpness of the torch, and the fine lines of the sun’s rays all remaining crisp. The coin’s luster, characteristic of high-grade Double Eagles, shines brightly, adding to its overall eye appeal.
The reverse of the 1925 St. Gaudens Double Eagle features a bold and majestic image of an American bald eagle in flight, soaring above the sun’s rays. This reverse design is equally stunning, symbolizing the strength and freedom of the United States. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TWENTY DOLLARS" are arranged in a curved line around the upper rim of the coin. Below the eagle is the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST," which was added to the design in 1908, following public demand for its inclusion on U.S. coinage. In MS65 condition, the eagle’s feathers, the rays of the sun, and the inscriptions remain sharply struck, with minimal signs of wear or contact. The brilliant luster and the clean surfaces typical of a coin in this grade enhance the overall presentation, making the reverse just as breathtaking as the obverse.
The history of the St. Gaudens Double Eagle series is rooted in President Theodore Roosevelt’s desire to beautify American coinage. Roosevelt personally commissioned Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a renowned sculptor, to redesign the nation’s highest denomination coin, the $20 gold piece. Saint-Gaudens’ design, with its bold and neoclassical imagery, was revolutionary for its time and set a new standard for American coinage. The Double Eagle remained in production until 1933, when the U.S. government ended the gold standard and recalled much of the gold coinage in circulation. As a result, many of these coins were melted down, leaving surviving examples like the 1925 issue in high grades particularly valuable.
The 1925 $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle was minted at the Philadelphia Mint, which was responsible for striking many of the highest-quality examples of this series. The Philadelphia Mint had access to the finest equipment and techniques of the time, resulting in consistently sharp strikes. The mintage for the 1925 issue was 2,831,750 coins, a relatively high number for the series. However, many of these coins were either melted down during the Gold Recall of 1933 or lost to circulation, making high-grade examples like this MS65 piece rarer than the mintage figures suggest. The scarcity of well-preserved examples, especially those certified in the early PCGS Rattler holders, makes the 1925 St. Gaudens Double Eagle a prized coin for collectors.
The PCGS Rattler holder, used in the early days of professional coin grading in the 1980s, is a notable aspect of this coin’s certification. The Rattler holders were named for the sound the coins could make if they moved slightly within the holder. These early holders are highly collectible in their own right, as they represent a pivotal moment in the development of third-party coin grading and authentication. Coins graded in Rattler holders are often sought after by collectors who appreciate the historical significance of these early holders, and when combined with a high-grade coin like this MS65 1925 Double Eagle, they add an additional layer of desirability to the coin.
The 1925 $20 Gold St. Gaudens Double Eagle in MS65 condition, certified by PCGS in a Rattler holder, is an exceptional piece of American numismatic history. Its stunning design, rooted in the artistic vision of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Theodore Roosevelt’s desire to elevate U.S. coinage, remains one of the most iconic images in the world of coin collecting. With its solid gold content, historical significance, and the additional rarity of being housed in a desirable PCGS Rattler holder, this coin is a must-have for collectors of U.S. gold coins and those who appreciate the finest in American numismatics.