LOS ANGELES, CA.- Bonhams & Butterfields announced the September 20, 2010 auction of Rare Coins, Medals and Banknotes featuring the J.D. Collection of Saint-Gaudens $10 eagle coins. The Collection, which is comprised of approximately 30 highly sought after gold coins, date from 1907 to 1932.
Though not a complete set, a majority of the coins from the Collection are in Choice to Gem Uncirculated condition and are graded by the both major numismatic entities, NGC and PCGS. Nearly all of the coins have been off the market for many years, and will be eagerly sought by collectors. Part one of the J.D. Collection, a rare and complete set of Gem Mint State $2.50 Indian Head quarter eagles, were successfully sold by Bonhams & Butterfields in early 2010.
Augustus Saint-Gaudens was an Irish-born American sculptor of the Beaux-Arts movement who embodied the ideals of the "American Renaissance." Raised in New York City, he traveled to Europe for further training and artistic study. Upon his return to the United States, Saint-Gaudens was regarded critical success in the design of monuments commemorating heroes of the American Civil War, many of which still stand. He was commissioned by then President Theodore Roosevelt to create completely new designs for United States coinage, as the existing patterns were deemed "boring and redundant" at the time. The Wire Rim and Rolled Edge Indian eagles, along with High Relief double eagles, represent the original work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens as he intended these coins to look, and are among the most beautiful of all United States coin designs.
Highlights from the J.D. Collection include a highly elusive 1907 $10 with Wire Rim graded NGC MS64. A pristine example, this coin is a classic rarity and one of the keys to the entire series, with an estimated mintage of only 500 pieces. This example is estimated to bring $36,000-44,000 during the September auction.
Additional pieces of note include: a1910 $10 MS67 NGC (est. $18,000-25,000); 1911 MS66 NGC (est. $10,000-14,000); 1913-S MS63 PCGS (est. $20,000-24,000); 1914-S MS64 PCGS (est. $10,000-13,000); 1914-D MS65 NGC (est. $11,000-13,000) and a 1915 MS66 NGC (est. $10,000-14,000).-
