First Display of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles and Presidential Documents at 2022 World’s Fair of Money

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Described by researchers as "one of the most important recent discoveries in 20th century American numismatics," the unique Experimental Finish 1910 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle will be displayed alongside one of the two known Satin Finish Proof 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles at the 2022 Chicago World’s Fair of Money®. It is the first time these multi-million-dollar coins will be publicly exhibited together.

Unique 1910 Experimental Finish Double Eagle
The unique Experimental Finish 1910 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle will be displayed by Brian Hendelson of Classic Coin Company at the 2022 Chicago World’s Fair of Money®. (Photo courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.)

The coins are being loaned to the American Numismatic Association by Brian Hendelson, president of Classic Coin Company of Bridgewater, New Jersey (www.ClassicCoinCompany.com) for the unprecedented exhibit in the convention’s Museum Showcase area (booth #1927). The 2022 World’s Fair of Money will be held August 16-20 in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois.

1921 Satin Finish Double Eagle
One of the two known Satin Finish Proof 1921 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles will be displayed at the 2022 Chicago World’s Fair of Money® by Brian Hendelson of Classic Coin Company. (Photo courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.)

Hendelson is also loaning his personal collection of 11 presidential appointment documents involving the United States Mint dating from 1792 to 1872. This also will be their first public display together.

George Washington appointment of David Rittenhouse as Mint Director
Signed by George Washington as President and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, this 1792 document appointed David Rittenhouse as the first Director of the United States Mint. (Photo courtesy of Brian Hendelson.)

Each historic document was hand signed by the president making the appointment: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Franklin Pierce, Abraham Lincoln, or Ulysses S. Grant.

"I love American history, and I’m delighted to let the public see these important United States coins and documents. I don’t know if these will ever be exhibited together again, so this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view this unique collection in person," said Hendelson.

Ten of the historic presidential appointment documents will be displayed in the Museum Showcase. An 11th document, President Washington’s 1795 appointment of Elias Boudinot as the third Mint Director, will be exhibited at the Classic Coin Company booth (#1222) along with high-quality examples of first-year of issue coins struck during Boudinot’s tenure at the Mint from 1795 to1805.

The lettered-edge 1910 Double Eagle, designed by acclaimed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, is graded PCGS SP66+ CAC. It is the only known example of this type of Experimental Finish with surfaces that are lighter and more reflective than Satin Finish proofs, and brighter than Matte Proofs of that era.

The 1921 Satin Finish Double Eagle is graded PCGS SP64+ and was discovered in 2006, a half dozen years after the first known example was discovered. No others have been reported. The Satin Finish was used on 1909 and 1910 Double Eagle proofs; however, experimental pieces with Satin Finishes from different years are now known, including the two from 1921.

The Brian Hendelson Collection of Presidential Appointment Documents in the Museum Showcase exhibit are:

  • President George Washington’s 1792 appointment of David Rittenhouse as first Mint Director. The document also is signed by Jefferson who was Secretary of State at the time;
  • President Washington’s 1795 appointment of Joseph Richardson as Mint Assayer;
  • President Thomas Jefferson’s 1806 appointment of Robert Patterson as the fourth Mint Director. It is also signed by James Madison who was Secretary of State at the time;
  • President James Monroe’s 1825 appointment of Samuel Moore as Director of the Philadelphia Mint;
  • President Andrew Jackson’s 1832 appointment of John Richardson as Mint Assayer;
  • President Martin Van Buren’s 1837 appointment of John R. Bolton as Director of the Charlotte Mint;
  • President Franklin Pierce’s 1853 appointment of John Newson as San Francisco Mint Melter and Refiner;
  • President Abraham Lincoln’s 1861 appointment of David Cheweseman as San Francisco Mint Treasurer;
  • President Ulysses S. Grant’s 1869 appointment of Oscar D. Munson as San Francisco Mint Assayer; and
  • President Grant’s 1872 appointment of Chauncy Noteware as Carson City Mint Director.

These are the first-year of issue coins that will be displayed at the Classic Coin Company booth with President Washington’s 1795 appointment of Elias Boudinot as the third Mint Director:

  • 1796 Draped Bust Quarter, PCGS MS63PL
  • 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar, NGC MS63+
  • 1795 Draped Bust Dollar, NGC MS64
  • 1795 Draped Bust $5, NGC MS63+
  • 1795 Draped Bust $10, PCGS MS62

For additional information about Classic Coin Company, call (908) 725-5600 or visit www.ClassicCoinCompany.com. For information about the 2022 Chicago World’s Fair of Money, visit www.WorldsFairOfMoney.com.

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Antonio

Pop corn, get your pop corn, $20 a bag.

SENZA

First-On-Thread Popcorn and Wine Award

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Antonio

You know I always have to put in my two cents.

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SENZA

Must I remind you

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SENZA

Inflation and the deficit are imaginary friends created to fleece and punish the middle class when the Rich are just having too much fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptoZtMZOjMA

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Rich

Sir Kaiser, while I was checking my Mint Order History for the shipping status of my Colorized Purple Heart order (since they were supposed to have started shipping today), I noticed that the shipping status said “shipped” for my Enrollment order for the 2023 Morgan and Peace Proof, Reverse Proof and Uncirculated Silver Dollars which I placed on July 8th. Just when it seemed like it couldn’t get nuttier…

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SENZA

They do that on new enrollments for some odd reason –

My colorized still said processing this A.M. but I’m hopeful a “shipped” email will appear tonight – please update me if you get any new info

There is a familiar tone to this Thread

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Rich

Roger that, SENZA, and a gentle reminder the U.S. Marine Corps 2.5 Ounce Silver Medal goes on sale tomorrow.

SENZA

Thanks Rich, I’m not sure my wallet will allow it but I’m keeping it in mind

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SENZA

OMG Another FAKE “Recent Discovery” there is just no limit to the fraud these coin imposters invent on a daily basis

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Antonio

I have a letter signed by Richard Nixon. I wonder what it’s worth.

SENZA

I have a bag of Nixon Presidential Dollars for sale and while the other Presidents get a half dozen views the Nixon Coin gets 140 views – there is definitely interest in Nixon right now – I think you have a winner

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Last edited 2 years ago by SENZA
Antonio

It may be worth more than my letter signed by Richard Nixon. Then again, which bridge?

SENZA

I have life jackets for cars

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SENZA

Those are just the paid off voices of the Special Interest Groups aka BlackRock NGC don’t forget each has an army of foot soldiers carrying out the dirty deeds such as the aforementioned – next they will find Ben Franklin alive in cheeseburger land with Elvis

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SENZA

It’s all about the Fun and the Pleasure

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SENZA

A bunch of crusty old dudes explaining why you should pay them $73 for an ounce of Silver that is barely worth $19

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SENZA

$18.32

SENZA

And you could manipulate Weight Watchers stock price

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