1933 Double Eagle

1933 Double Eagle
US Mint Pressroom Image Library [2] · Public domain · source
Coin name	1933 Double Eagle
Denomination	$20
Currency	United States dollar
Mint	Philadelphia Mint
Mintage	445,500
Designer	Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Design date	1907

1933 Double Eagle is a highly sought-after United States coin that was designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and minted at the Philadelphia Mint. The coin features a depiction of Lady Liberty and was originally intended for circulation, but most were melted down due to the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 1933 Double Eagle is considered one of the most valuable and rare coins of the United States, with only a few examples surviving to the present day, including those held by the Smithsonian Institution and the Fort Knox. The coin's value is also influenced by its connection to notable collectors such as King Farouk and Stuart Weitzman.

● Introduction

The 1933 Double Eagle was a gold coin that was part of the Double Eagle series, which was introduced in 1849 and featured designs by James B. Longacre and Christian Gobrecht. The coin was minted during a time of great economic upheaval in the United States, with the country struggling to recover from the Great Depression. The Federal Reserve and the United States Department of the Treasury, led by Henry Morgenthau Jr., played a crucial role in the coin's history, as they worked to stabilize the economy and implement policies such as the Gold Standard Act of 1900. The 1933 Double Eagle is also notable for its connection to famous numismatists such as Q. David Bowers and David Akers, who have written extensively about the coin's history and value.

● Design

The design of the 1933 Double Eagle was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt to redesign the United States coinage. The coin features a depiction of Lady Liberty walking forward, with the Capitol Building and the White House in the background, and was inspired by the Victory statue in Paris. The design was intended to be a symbol of American strength and freedom, and was influenced by the artistic styles of Michelangelo and Donatello. The coin's design is also notable for its use of Roman numerals and its lack of the words "In God We Trust", which was omitted at the request of Theodore Roosevelt. The design has been praised by numismatists such as Donald Taxay and R.S. Yeoman, who have written about the coin's artistic and historical significance.

● History

The 1933 Double Eagle was minted in 1933, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who signed the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 into law, effectively ending the production of gold coins in the United States. The coin was originally intended for circulation, but most were melted down and converted into gold bars due to the economic conditions of the time. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the United States Mint played a crucial role in the coin's history, as they worked to implement the policies of the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. The coin's history is also connected to notable events such as the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the London Conference of 1933, which were major factors in the implementation of the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. The 1933 Double Eagle is also notable for its connection to famous collectors such as John Jay Pittman and Louis E. Eliasberg, who have owned examples of the coin.

● Illicit Sales and Recovery

In the 1940s and 1950s, a few examples of the 1933 Double Eagle surfaced, and were sold to collectors such as King Farouk and Stuart Weitzman. However, these sales were often illicit, and the coins were not officially sanctioned by the United States government. The Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were involved in the recovery of some of these coins, which were seized and returned to the United States government. The United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Office also played a role in the prosecution of individuals involved in the illicit sale of the coins. The recovery of the 1933 Double Eagle is also notable for its connection to famous law enforcement officials such as J. Edgar Hoover and Eliot Ness, who worked to combat counterfeiting and other forms of numismatic crime.

● Numismatics and Value

The 1933 Double Eagle is considered one of the most valuable and rare coins of the United States, with only a few examples surviving to the present day. The coin's value is influenced by its rarity, condition, and historical significance, as well as its connection to notable collectors and numismatists such as Q. David Bowers and David Akers. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) have graded and certified examples of the coin, which can sell for millions of dollars at auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's. The 1933 Double Eagle is also notable for its connection to famous auctions such as the 1933 Double Eagle sale and the Stuart Weitzman sale, which have set records for the sale of rare coins.

● Legacy

The 1933 Double Eagle has had a lasting impact on the world of numismatics, and is considered one of the most iconic and desirable coins of the United States. The coin's design, which was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, has been praised for its beauty and historical significance, and has influenced the design of other coins such as the American Gold Eagle and the American Silver Eagle. The 1933 Double Eagle is also notable for its connection to notable museums such as the Smithsonian Institution and the American Numismatic Society, which have examples of the coin in their collections. The coin's legacy is also connected to famous numismatists such as Q. David Bowers and David Akers, who have written extensively about the coin's history and value. Category:Coins of the United States