Not counting the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20, there is no greater regular-issue rarity among 20th-century gold coinage than the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle. Only about a dozen are known, and thus it is an ultra-rare piece regardless of grade. The prestige of this coin has only risen over the years, as at one time other issues, including the 1926-S, 1927-S, and 1931-D were thought to be rarer, but hoard discoveries disproved that numismatic theory. On the rare occasion that a 1927-D is offered for sale, it is now a reliable seven-figure coin.
| coinage-type | Saint Gaudens gold double eagle |
| desg | MS |
| designer | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
| diameter | 34 |
| edge | Reeded |
| fineness | 0.9 |
| material | 90% gold; 10% copper |
| mint-mark | D |
| mintage | 180,000 |
| ngc-id | 26GH |
| obverse-description | Liberty is portrayed standing on a rock, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The word LIBERTY appears on the top periphery surrounded by stars. The date is stamped on the right side of the coin, just above the rock. |
| pcgs-link | 9187 |
| pcgs-number | 9187 |
| prefix | Major Rarity |
| reverse-description | A crescent sun appears at the bottom as if rising on the horizon with long rays extending to the top of the coin. A flying eagle covers the central portion, atop the rays. The words UNITED STATES oF AMERICA, TWENTY DOLLARS appear on the top periphery. |
| weight-grams | 33.436 |
| weight-ounces | 0.9675 |
| year-display | 1908-1933 |