"Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Morse and Duckor Collections."
RogerB
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Full title: Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Phillip H. Morse and Stephen Duckor Collections. By Roger W. Burdette, edited by James L. Halperin and Mark Van Winkle. Ivy Press, Dallas. 2018. (Heritage Auctions)
The only detailed resource on this series. Full color. 648 pages, Includes not only date/mint data, varieties and analysis, but valuable historical, social and economic data. Includes estimated survival for all issues. This resource opens a vast new area of collecting date, die, mintmark and other varieties.
From the Google book review:
"It is with great fanfare that Double Eagle collectors and fans should rejoice in the recent publishing of Roger Burdette’s “Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Phillip H. Morse and Stephen Duckor Collections”, published by Ivy press. In this one lavishly illustrated detailed volume, weighing in at four and a half pounds (648 pages), Mr. Burdette presents the story of these amazing coins in a comprehensive reference that collects in one place the beauty, lore, history, and ephemera of America’s most beautiful coin, the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle.
"The author brings his considerable research skill and master storytelling to bear on a series until now devoid of adequate in-depth scholarship. Beyond the well known origin story and brief 27 year tenure on the world stage, he goes on to explain as never before their fascinating post gold standard saga; one of unprecedented drama involving legal controversies, mass government meltings, private hoarding, contraband status, and ultimate liberation for unrestricted U.S. private ownership. Included is description of the repatriation of thousands of coins held in hoards off shore that unpredictably reshuffled the rarity estimates of key issues. He chronicles both well known and obscure events in all decades up to the present day. Few coin series have faced so many challenges to their own existence so soon after their creation to the extent the subject coins have. Burdette concludes that of the 70.3 million SG double eagles minted, only an estimated 2.9 million (or 4%) survive, 40% of these being Philadelphia coins of a single date!
"Within the grand scope of their epic story, the author weaves an extremely detailed analysis of each issue with long awaited and fully illustrated die variety notations of particular value to astute collectors. In addition, mint mark details, production distribution and market information, notable examples, and author commentary flesh out the individual coin entries leaving no stones unturned. Finally, essays on various topics like mint manufacturing, luster and color spotting, to name but a few, are sprinkled throughout the text completing this tour de force treatment of the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle series. Though long anticipated by aficionados of the series, it is a massive understatement to say that this current volume was worth the wait! This volume is destined to become THE go to bible for information on the series."
Comments
Where is this available?
Heritage auctions.
Thank you
https://coins.ha.com/itm/books/the-coinage-of-augustus-saint-gaudens-as-illustrated-by-the-m/i/960001281.s?type=surl-morse
That's a different cover than the OP(?)
didn't your momma tell you not to judge a book by its cover?
Thanks !!!
That is not the same book.
better link? Heritage makes it challenging to find books. The links don't jump out on the home page
Sounds like a good read, but the "Google book review" looks like an over the top sales pitch. I hope the book lives up to the hype because I need to get one.
Burdette concludes that of the 70.3 million SG double eagles minted, only an estimated 2.9 million (or 4%) survive, 40% of these being Philadelphia coins of a single date!
I am guessing he means the 1924P issue, closely followed by the 1908 No Motto.
Indian Head $10 Gold Date Set Album
Duckor you expected to be good. Morse was a hidden GEM not too many people knew of. We probably bought 30-40% of both sales (yes that much).
Now there is only one other holding (now in a trust) that even comes close (a guy who owns 6 -yes 6 Ultra High Reliefs, the J-1776, and coins like the $20 1925S PCGS MS68!).
I can tell you, needing every better date Saint and $10 in GEM, my purchases have been very limited ever since these 2 sales. I doubt there is any exaggeration about rarity in the book. Two great sets to base a book on.
The book took over 5 years to research, a year to write and was actively reviewed and "field tested" for another 3 years. It's the first of its kind for these in depth and integrated information.
Specialist - There were 15 EHR $20 patterns officially made, so the collector you mention owns more than one-third of them all. (Well --- 19 seem to exist, so the 'official' quantity might be off a little. The same report says that all $20 patterns with large portrait (as on the eagle) were destroyed, but we know that Charles Barber saved one.
The book is an virtual encyclopedia of two of the finest Saint collections brought to market. I saw ALL the coins in both sets, I owned a dozen coins from MORSE and was a collecting "partner" with Steve Duckor, as we eyeballed almost every great Saint that came out for about 7 years. Nice job RB!
Has anyone found a link for this book? The link listed is a different book and is the only one I see on their site.
I have tried to find it listed, but have had no success...@RogerB....can you provide a link?? Cheers, RickO
Try sending a note to Heritage.
Yes, there is a well known mega collector from CT who bought the best $10 Indians and Saints (many raw) years go. He does own 6 UHR's. He laughed when I offered him $15 million for the J-1776. He is not active today tho. All coins were put in a trust.
Further, I believe he turned into the government an extremely rare (illegal) $20 he owned a few years ago. If you search around all you'll see if a tiny blurb here and there about it.
Very interesting thread indeed!
Has anyone actually found this book? It is available now right?
Collector, occasional seller
I thought it was generally available. Don't know why it is not on the Heritage web site. Maybe they are going to do an official release at ANA....?
The link in the post by Barndog near the beginning of this thread appears to be working now.
Looks like a great book!
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Thanks! Got my order in and looking forward to its arrival.
I know it was a lot of work! Hope collectors enjoy it.
I called the Heritage office in New York to see if I could walk over and pick up a copy, but they don't keep any in stock. Ordering online is the way to go!
He who knows he has enough is rich.
If anyone picks up a copy at Heritage HQ or maybe the ANA show, bring a sturdy canvas bag for carrying it home. The book is heavy.
From the link @Barndog posted above. I notice the title of the book in the picture does not match the title shown above it and in the description. Is this the right place to buy it?
Heritage needs to do a little editing of the page.
Collector, occasional seller
Anybody else selling this 600 plus page book for cheaper? For us broke and common struggling folks?
Kudos. I'm just adding to my post count. Who doesn't appreciate mingling with the giants , online ?
Add to Cart...1
Got mine in the mail today. Look forward to diving into it this weekend.
Hope you did not hurt your back lifting it!
(I pulled a muscle in my forearm lifting a box containing 10 copies....I did not realize it was so heavy and was not prepared for the weight. It still hurts but is slowly getting better.)
Did everybody get their book I have not seen mine come in. I got an email but thats it. No record on their web site. I left them an email maybe Monday I should know. I forgot all about it.
HA sent me the 2006 book instead of the 2018, but hey, at least it took two weeks. Their link shows the 2018 cover but was titled under the 2006 publication. I didn't pick up on the minor differences... "The Coinage of Augustus Saint-Gaudens as illustrated by the Morse" (2006, 253 pgs) vs. "Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Morse and Ducker Collections" (2018, 600+ pgs).
I already have the 2006 book. Now I gotta call them on Monday, send it back to the Mainland on a slow boat, and blah, blah, blah.
What a hassle.
1st World...
I had the same thing happen---sent me the 2006 book. I called them and they fixed it and sent me the new book (just received a couple days ago)----hoping to dive into it shortly
Thx. That's good to hear.
Unfortunately, I also received the wrong book on Friday. I sent Heritage a note and am sure it will be addressed next week.
Simply put, the link shows an image of the new book: "Saint Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Philip H. Morse and Steven Duckor Collections" by Roger Burdette. It is described as:
The book I received was “The Coinage of Augustus Saint-Gaudens as illustrated by the Philip H. Morse Collection” published in 2006. Blue cover and only about 300 pages. Very nice book, but not the one I ordered
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Looks like mine will be the wrong one. Of course I will inquire Monday.
Would this be the 3rd 1933 DE the ANA is displaying next week alongside the stolen Langbord coins?
Lance.
someone should post when Heritage runs out of the wrong books, then the rest of us can order the right ones.
Didn't HA give away a thinner hardcover book on Saints by Morse a few years ago?
I've sent a note to Heritage about the continuing order fulfillment problems. Maybe that will help.
I just spoke with HA this morning. They sent me an email to describe exactly what is that I ordered and will send it out immediately.
They said not to send the other book back. I'll probably donate it or do a giveaway since I already have a copy.
Glad it worked out well, and very nice of Heritage to give the other book to you and for you to donate it.
Wow, that was fast, forget the slow boat, HA sent it via FedEx Brilliant Post. ;-)
Did a quick walk through, looks great, lotsa statistics and pics. I can see there are years and years of work poured over this project...much appreciated to all involved.
I'm hoping a Saint-Gaudens eagle book can follow -- it will not be 648 pages, however.
Is Wizard going to get to sell it or is it a Heritage exclusive.
I have no information on distribution or availability plans. Sorry.
.