Which would you choose

eyesopen

I have the option to inherit one of these coins. 1914 S 5 Dollar Indian or 1925 20 Dollar St. What would your choice be? I am thinking the 1914 S.

Smudge

Both are jewelry and basically bullion. Go with the big one.

eyesopen

Thank you Smudge. I have only started collecting the last few years. Can they be removed from the mountings? The Indian was never worn. My mother wore the St for a few years and then forgot she had it. I appreciate any comments.

HillbillyCollector

@eyesopen said:
Thank you Smudge. I have only started collecting the last few years. Can they be removed from the mountings? The Indian was never worn. My mother wore the St for a few years and then forgot she had it. I appreciate any comments.

Can be removed but will leave rim marks.
Go for that DE, as was mentioned.

johnny010

$20

telephoto1

The $20 is the one to pick. The bezel is easily removed by taking out the tiny screw at the top. Use an eyeglass screwdriver or small jeweler's screwdriver. it shouldn't have damaged the coin as it goes around the coin rather than the type that has four retaining prongs, which can dig into the coin.
Edit to add location of screw:

Dave99B

$20

Dave

Walkerfan

The Saint

percyb

$5 since I already have the other.

Downtown1974

Exactly what Smudge said.

johnny9434

Take the big one

Ownerofawheatiehorde

If the $5 doesn’t have scratches and is UNC, it would be worth more than the DE. If it is damaged, go with the DE.

tommy44

@telephoto1 said:
The $20 is the one to pick. The bezel is easily removed by taking out the tiny screw at the top. Use an eyeglass screwdriver or small jeweler's screwdriver. it shouldn't have damaged the coin as it goes around the coin rather than the type that has four retaining prongs, which can dig into the coin.
Edit to add location of screw:

I agree with what telephoto1 said.

It's also possible the the bezel in 14K vs gold filled. If 14K lots more gold here than in the bezel on the $5. The bezel on the $5 looks like your typical gold filled "Cowan's" type bezel where the one on the $20 looks special.

gumby1234

I had one of the St Gaudens size bezels years ago it was solid gold.

coinbuf

No question for me, take the $20.

ChangeInHistory

Go on, take the twenty and run.

Sincerely,
Billy Joe & Bobby Sue

Tramp

@coinbuf said:
No question for me, take the $20.

^^^^^

What they said!
.
+1
.

Namvet69

But what's behind door number 3?

Jimnight

The double eagle.

PerryHall

The double eagle has been lightly polished but it's still almost a full ounce of gold. That's a nice rope bezel that's probably 14K gold. Check it for any markings near the clasp. If it were mine, I'd just leave the Saint in the bezel and sell it as a nice jewelry piece.

lkenefic

If given the option, the $20 DE every time! They're both ex- jewelry so I'd defer to bullion value... theres much more gold in the $20...

eyesopen

Both settings are full 14K gold. If both coins were not mounted as jewelry. Would your opinions be the same? Which coin is more collectable on its own?

Smudge

Neither is rare. It boils down to would you rather have an ounce of gold or a quarter ounce. If you just love the Indian design, sell the Saint and buy a nice certified Indian.

MetroD

1914-S $5 Indian - PCGS #8529
1925 $20 St. Gaudens - PCGS #9180

From the PCGS 'Price Guide':

The lines intersect at x = MS-60 (i.e., y = $2,500). Based on these 'reference/ask' prices, the better financial choice is currently the $5 Indian only if it is MS-61, or higher.

eyesopen

Thank you Metro D. That information is what I was looking for. Not the gold value. Thank you all for your input.

lkenefic

I doubt either of those would straight grade at 61... but stranger things, I suppose...

airplanenut

@eyesopen said:
Thank you Metro D. That information is what I was looking for. Not the gold value. Thank you all for your input.

Except with the coin being mounted, it's likely both damaged and at least a bit circulated. It may have more numismatic value than a ho-hum dated Saint with the same potential issues, but the latter coin has a lot more gold and thus still a higher value. Unless you have a sentimental reason to keep one of the coins, you can always sell the Saint and get a nicer $5 Indian of a common date (with plenty of money to spare) or throw in a few hundred bucks and walk away with a nice, uncirculated Saint.

ricko

I would choose the $20 Saint.... Then sell it as jewelry (unless it is a family heirloom) and buy a really nice Indian. Cheers, RickO

matt_dac

Silly question….but what a nice problem to have.

Ounce of gold or a quarter ounce? Neither have numismatic value.

Ownerofawheatiehorde

@matt_dac said:
Silly question….but what a nice problem to have.

Ounce of gold or a quarter ounce? Neither have numismatic value.

Well, the problem arises as the $5 does have numismatic value, and is more valuable than the Saint as long as its MS. (Which I doubt)

Che_Grapes

Since you’re inheriting it I would say chose the one you like the best, regardless of value.

Elcontador1

Have someone who knows $5 IHC, grade the coin and get an opinion re whether it is in fact Unc. and will grade after removal from the mounting. The 14 S is a better date in higher grades. I inherited a circulated one from my grandmother.

PerryHall

Based on the pics in the first post, the 1914-S is not even close to being mint state. You would be lucky to get an AU50 straight grade and more likely you would get a XF45 grade with the possibility of a cleaned designation. Even in its polished/cleaned state, the double eagle is far more valuable.