In the world of rare coins, few capture the imagination like the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. This stunning $20 gold piece is more than just a collector’s item—it’s a symbol of American artistry, economic turmoil, and one of the most dramatic legal battles in numismatic history. From its breathtaking design to its high-profile court cases, the 1933 Double Eagle has become a legendary treasure among coin collectors and historians alike.
What Is the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle?
The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was a $20 gold coin designed by famed American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt, the coin was meant to symbolize America’s growing strength and artistic ambition in the early 20th century. The design debuted in 1907 and remained in production until 1933.
The 1933 issue, however, is special—not because of how many were made, but because of what happened to them.
The Gold Recall of 1933: Why These Coins Were Never Circulated
By 1933, the United States was in the depths of the Great Depression. In an effort to stabilize the economy and prevent a banking collapse, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 6102, which made it illegal for citizens to hoard gold. This bold move was intended to pull gold out of circulation and back into federal control.
At the time, the U.S. Mint had already struck 445,500 Double Eagles dated 1933, ready to be released. But due to Roosevelt’s order, none of these coins were legally issued. Instead, they were ordered to be melted down into gold bars.
But here’s where the mystery begins: not all of them were destroyed.
How Did the 1933 Double Eagle Survive?
Although the 1933 Double Eagles were never officially released, a handful mysteriously escaped the melting pots. It's still not entirely clear how these coins left the U.S. Mint, but most experts believe they were illegally taken by someone inside the Mint and quietly sold to collectors through backdoor channels.
For decades, the U.S. government considered all 1933 Double Eagles to be stolen property. Owning one was a legal nightmare—until one coin changed everything.
The Farouk Coin and the Fight for Legitimacy
In 1944, one 1933 Double Eagle was sold to King Farouk of Egypt. Somehow, his coin received an export license from the U.S. Treasury, which gave it a semi-legal status—at least on paper.
After Farouk was overthrown in 1952, his coin disappeared for years. It wasn’t until the 1990s that it resurfaced in the hands of a British coin dealer, who tried to sell it in New York. U.S. Secret Service agents quickly seized the coin, reigniting the legal firestorm around these mysterious gold pieces.
After years of legal wrangling, the U.S. government and the dealer finally reached an agreement. The coin could be legally sold at auction, with proceeds split between the dealer and the government. In 2002, the Farouk Double Eagle sold for $7.59 million, setting a new world record at the time for any coin ever sold.
That coin is the only 1933 Double Eagle that is legal to own—at least for many years.
The Langbord Hoard: More Coins Come to Light
In 2004, a Philadelphia family named Langbord discovered ten 1933 Double Eagles in a safe deposit box. Their father, a jeweler who had ties to the Mint, had apparently kept them hidden for decades. The family voluntarily turned the coins over to the government for authentication.
The U.S. government, however, refused to give them back—claiming the coins were stolen property. A lengthy court battle ensued, and in 2011 a jury sided with the government. The coins remain in federal custody to this day.
This case once again highlighted the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding the 1933 Double Eagle. Even after 90 years, the fate of these coins continues to stir controversy.
A Coin of Art, Mystery, and Intrigue
What makes the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle so fascinating isn’t just its rarity. It’s the perfect storm of beauty, history, and mystery.
1. Design Excellence
The design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens is often hailed as the most beautiful American coin ever produced. The obverse features Lady Liberty striding confidently forward, torch in hand, with the sun rising behind her. The reverse shows a majestic American eagle in flight, symbolizing freedom and strength.
2. Historical Importance
This coin marks a turning point in U.S. history—the end of the gold standard for individuals. It represents the government’s shift toward fiat currency and the beginning of modern monetary policy.
3. Rarity and Value
With only one legally owned example in private hands (and ten others locked away), the 1933 Double Eagle is among the rarest and most valuable coins in the world. In June 2021, that same Farouk coin sold again—for $18.9 million, smashing its own previous record.
What Should Collectors Know?
If you're a coin enthusiast or dealer, it's important to know that owning a 1933 Double Eagle is illegal unless it’s the single coin previously approved by the U.S. government (the Farouk specimen). Attempting to buy or sell other examples could lead to seizure or legal trouble.
That said, there are plenty of other Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles from earlier years that are legal, stunning, and historically significant. Coins from 1907 to 1932, for example, are highly collectible and make excellent additions to any serious numismatic collection.
Final Thoughts: The Crown Jewel of U.S. Coinage
The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is more than just a coin—it’s a story, a scandal, and a symbol of American resilience and transformation. Its journey from the U.S. Mint to royal treasuries, secret vaults, courtrooms, and auction houses is unlike anything else in numismatic history.
For coin collectors, the 1933 Double Eagle is the holy grail—not just because of its value, but because of the drama and beauty it represents. It reminds us that coins are not just metal—they are time capsules, capturing the values, struggles, and triumphs of the eras they come from.
If you're ever lucky enough to see one in person—whether in a museum or at a rare coin exhibit—take a moment to appreciate its story. Because no other coin tells one quite like the 1933 Double Eagle.