NGC-certified 1921 Double Eagle Realizes Over $2 Million

One of the world's most coveted coins, a 1921 Roman Finish Double Eagle certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®), realized over $2 million in a Heritage Auctions sale on August 18, 2021. This is the 11th NGC-certified ultra-rarity to realize more than $1 million at auction this year, underscoring the demand for NGC-certified coins and the strength of the numismatic market.

1921 Roman Finish Double Eagle graded NGC PF 64+. Realized: $2.01 million Click images to enlarge.

Double Eagle Proofs were believed to have ended with the 1915 issue until a 1921 Roman Finish example linked to Mint Director Raymond T. Baker emerged at an auction in 2000. A second, finer example was discovered at a 2006 auction, misattributed as a Mint State coin by another third-party grading service. That coin, which NGC has now accurately attributed and graded NGC PF 64+, was the one at center stage in Heritage's World's Fair of Money US Coins Platinum Night sale, where it realized $2.01 million (lot 3499).

"The extraordinary price realized by this ultra-rare Double Eagle shows the importance of NGC certification," said Scott Schechter, NGC Chief Numismatist and Finalizer. "This coin stands proudly among the most elite coins in numismatic history."

The incredible coin was struck at a time of broad innovation at the US Mint. Not only did the Mint implement an overhaul of the nation's coinage in the early 20th Century with groundbreaking designs like the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, but also experimented with different finishes. Baker apparently gave the other known Proof of the 1921 Double Eagle as a present to his newborn nephew in late 1921; it is possible both Proofs were produced for the Mint Director around the same time.

This is the second multi-million-dollar price realized for an NGC-certified Double Eagle this year. In February, a 1907 Extremely High Relief, Lettered Edge $20 graded NGC PF 68 realized $3.6 million in a Heritage Auctions sale of Paramount Collection rarities.

Gold coinage was first struck by the US Mint beginning in 1795. The Heritage sale featured two important NGC-certified gold coins bearing this date. They included a 1795 Small Eagle $5 graded NGC MS 65 PL (lot 3427) that boasts the highest grade among Prooflike examples. This coin realized $588,000.

1795 Small Eagle $5 graded NGC MS 65 PL. Realized: $588,000 Click images to enlarge.

Of similar rarity is a 1795 13 Leaves $10 graded NGC MS 64 (lot 3442) that realized $516,000. This coin was struck with the rare BD-4 die pairing, of which only a few dozen are thought to survive today.

1795 13 Leaves $10 graded NGC MS 64. Realized: $516,000 Click images to enlarge.

“Heritage Auctions is proud to offer extraordinary numismatic rarities like these,” said Jim Halperin, Co-Chairman of Heritage Auctions. “When a golden opportunity arises to acquire coins of this caliber, NGC certification provides the confidence that leads to impressive bidding.”

In all, a dozen NGC-certified lots realized prices of at least $100,000 in the auction. The others were:

• an 1827 Dime graded NGC SP 68 (lot 3333) that realized $312,000
• 1889-CC Morgan Dollar graded NGC MS 65 PL (lot 3373) that realized $264,000
• a 1916 J-1989 Pattern Standing Liberty Quarter graded NGC PF 65 and pedigreed to the Simpson Collection (lot 3006) that realized $240,000
• a five-piece 1915-S Panama-Pacific set graded NGC MS 63 to NGC MS 65 (lot 3508) that realized $204,000
• a 1794 BB-1, B-1 Flowing Hair Dollar graded NGC VF 30 (lot 3364) that realized $162,000
• an 1811 Half Dollar graded NGC MS 68 (lot 3346) that realized $156,000
• a 1793 Chain 'AMERICA' Cent graded NGC AU 58 BN (lot 3309) that realized $144,000
• an 1889-CC Morgan Dollar graded NGC MS 64 DPL (lot 3374) that realized $132,000
• an 1830 Templeton Reid $10 graded NGC VF Details (lot 3510) that realized $120,000

Prices realized include buyer's premium.

Related Links

• NGC-certified Coins Topping $1 Million in 2021
• NGC-certified 1907 Extremely High Relief $20 Realizes an Astounding $3.6 Million in Paramount Collection Sale