Collection: Type 3, Motto (St. Gaudens)

Designed by: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Issue Dates: 1908-1933
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.43 grams (516 grains)
Edge: Lettered E PLURIBUS UNUM
Business Strike Mintage: 64,981,428
Proof Mintage: 687

1908–1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle – With Motto | Iconic U.S. Gold Coin | Type 3 Design

Introduced in mid-1908, the Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle "With Motto" variety reflects a pivotal design modification: the addition of "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the reverse, arching above the sun's rays beneath the soaring eagle. This change was mandated by Congress following public backlash over its omission on earlier issues. Aside from this inscription, the design remains faithful to Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ celebrated artistic vision, first seen on the high relief coins of 1907.

Design & Symbolism

• Obverse: Liberty strides confidently forward with a torch and olive branch in hand, flanked by 46 or 48 stars, depending on the date. From 1908 to 1911, coins bear 46 stars; beginning in 1912, two additional stars were added to reflect the admission of New Mexico and Arizona into the Union.

• Reverse: An eagle in flight soars across a sunrise, framed by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TWENTY DOLLARS, and the restored IN GOD WE TRUST motto.

This design is widely regarded as the pinnacle of American coin artistry, blending neoclassical style with patriotic symbolism.

Rarity & Market Overview

Produced almost continuously from 1908 through 1933, these coins experienced high mintage volumes, particularly during the mid-1920s. However, due to the 1933 gold recall, millions of double eagles were melted by the Treasury, and many issues—especially those from the 1920s and early 1930s—have become significantly scarcer than their mintage figures would suggest.

• Common date examples (e.g., 1924 and 1928 Philadelphia issues) are readily available in Extremely Fine to lower Mint State grades.

• High-grade Uncirculated coins (MS65 and above) are scarce, particularly for earlier issues struck between 1908 and 1921.

• Key rarities include select branch mint issues and late-date survivors from 1929–1932, which were saved in very small quantities.

Collector Appeal

This final, long-running version of the Saint-Gaudens design holds widespread appeal among both type collectors and bullion-oriented investors. It bridges the artistic elegance of early 20th-century coinage with the historical intrigue of pre-Depression monetary policy, and remains a cornerstone of many advanced U.S. gold collections.

Whether you seek a lustrous example for a type set or a higher-grade investment piece, the With Motto Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is a classic U.S. numismatic icon with enduring significance.