1909/8 $20 MS64 OGH PCGS CAC

Encapsulated in a desirable Old Green Holder (OGH), this 1909/8 $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is a highly distinctive variety and the only known overdate in the entire series, making it a critical acquisition for serious collectors of early 20th-century U.S. gold coinage. This rare variety was the result of a Mint engraver mistakenly using a 1908-dated hub when preparing a 1909 working die. Upon recognizing the error, the die was reworked with the proper 1909 hub, but the remnants of the original 1908 date remained clearly visible to the unaided eye. Such an oversight would ordinarily have been detected during Chief Engraver Charles Barber’s die inspection process, yet for unknown reasons, it was not corrected before being placed into production. By 1910, the U.S. Mint implemented a new master date hub, effectively eliminating the possibility of further overdates in the series, suggesting that Barber or other Mint officials took swift corrective action to prevent additional occurrences.  While the 1909/8 overdate commands only a slight premium over its normal-date counterpart in circulated grades, its scarcity becomes significant in Mint State. The variety begins to separate in value at MS60 to MS63, but in MS64 and higher, it is a true condition rarity. This particular example is a near-Gem with strong visual appeal, exhibiting minimal abrasions and a well-preserved overdate. The vibrant yellow-gold luster is complemented by green and lilac overtones, with natural toning variations near the rims enhancing the originality of the piece. CAC reports just 10 coins at this grade level, with only 3 known in higher conditions, 1 in MS65 and 2 in MS66 ($336,000 05/22 HA) further emphasizing its scarcity at the upper end of the condition census. Market performance underscores the strong demand for this variety, with the last NON-CAC PCGS MS64 example realizing $15,624 01/25 HA and the last NON-CAC NGC MS64 for $14,400 09/24 HA and no MS64+ CAC has sold in over 5 years when they had consistently sold for around $20,000, we find this example represents excellent value. Given this coins truly premium quality for the grade and OGH encapsulation, its numismatic significance, rarity in high grades, and historical intrigue, the 1909/8 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle remains an indispensable variety for advanced collectors and specialists in U.S. gold coinage. 

PCGS Cert Verification #04345706