Saint-Gaudens vs. Liberty Double Eagle popularity

FrankNYC

Most young(er) and new(er) collectors I speak with favor the Saint-Gaudens over the Liberty DE, it seems.
Personally, I prefer the Liberty over the Saint-Gaudens. The one thing that the Liberty DE has that may make it more attractive to younger people are the Carson City minted coins.... I see these particular coins popping up in various forums and Reddit discussions popular with newer/ younger collectors.
Thoughts?

johnny010

I liked Saints more until I started paying attention to the hobby at a closer level AND THEN I completely forgot about Saints and preferred the DEs on a scale of 10 to 1.

Much like the debate over Morgan’s vs Peace, there is no wrong answer.

PeakRarities

I prefer the type 1 design of a Lib over a saint, but I prefer Saints over type 2 or type 3 Libs. In order of preference, my list of double eagle designs is as follows:

1. Type 1 (High Relief) Saint
2. Type 1 Lib
3. Type 3 Saint
4. Type 2 Lib
5. Type 3 Lib
6. Type 2 Saint

pcgscacgold

Saints are too common for me to collect. The only two I have are in my Type Set. A MS65 Liberty is such a great looking coin. I have several DE Libs beyond Type set coins.

crazyhounddog

I like them both equally. Both designs have a lot to offer.

oldabeintx

Saints are beautiful coins and I own several in my type sets. However, they’re too common to get me interested in collecting them as a series. Liberty gold have the historical depth to make them more interesting. Numerous mints and time periods to stir the imagination.

Manifest_Destiny

Hard to beat an HR Saint, but I'll take a type 1/2 Lib over the rest of the Saints.

1northcoin

My 1850 Double Eagle holds top spot for me. Second place is the 1907 High Relief Saint followed by my 1861 Paquet with its unique Reverse. Then there is the Carson City DE that came from the Saddle Ridge Hoard. For me the history/story/provenance give the Liberty Double Eagles the edge but I will concede that the design of the 1907 High Relief Saint wins out on that criteria.

lermish

I also choose @1northcoin 's 1850 Double Eagle.

CRHer700

I prefer the liberty head type. Saints seem bland to me. (Not that I own either one.)

PeakRarities

@1northcoin - Have you ever tried to cross that? I’ve always wondered what the deal was with the sets holder, figured maybe they were the only ones that would holder it as a presentation piece?

GAC

At 25, I find both the Liberty and St. Gaudens designs captivating. However, the history and rarity of the 1933 St. Gaudens has made it stand out as my preferred choice. When it comes to key dates, Liberty coins in Mint State grades often command very high prices, which can make them less accessible to some collectors. In contrast, St. Gaudens coins tend to be more readily available in Mint State, making them more approachable in terms of pricing. Both series boast rich histories and exceptional coins, but the higher availability of Mint State St. Gaudens coins enhances their overall appeal for me.

Copperindian

It’s a toss up for me - I like both designs; each offers something different!

FrankNYC

@GAC said:
At 25, I find both the Liberty and St. Gaudens designs captivating. However, the history and rarity of the 1933 St. Gaudens has made it stand out as my preferred choice. When it comes to key dates, Liberty coins in Mint State grades often command very high prices, which can make them less accessible to some collectors. In contrast, St. Gaudens coins tend to be more readily available in Mint State, making them more approachable in terms of pricing. Both series boast rich histories and exceptional coins, but the higher availability of Mint State St. Gaudens coins enhances their overall appeal for me.

It's extremely difficult to find Type 1 LH in mint state, however, AU coins offer some very nice coins that are well struck and are beautiful to look at. I often see AU58s that look way better than any MS61/2. With that said, part of the allure of LH DE for me is that they were not meant to sit in a vault. They were handled and passed around, hence the wear.

A few of us often wonder what if these coins could talk? Who would you rather hear from? The MS66+ that sat in a safe/vault for the past 100+ years or the well-worn AU-50 that's been passed around and used for commerce/vice?

logger7

The double eagles have far lower extant populations, though the "renaissance" in US coinage, to use Roger Burdette's title, created some of the most impressive designs. I like the type II double eagles, though the type I and its minimalist design is attractive; and the type III design with its federalist heraldic design has a lot going for it.

golden

I like the early Liberties. I remember back in the mid-1960's seeing $20 advertised in Coin World for $48. I really wanted one but that was way too much money for me. I did get a $5 Liberty for $17 in the summer of 1967.

Cougar1978

Have both, like them. Generally want to inventory equal number of $20 Saints and $20 Libs.

Walkerfan

I prefer Saints because I like the design better.

D808LF

Saints!

I also like DC's MCMVI Concept Saint.

However, I do appreciate the crustyness of T1 & T2 Liberty DEs.

asheland

It’s a close call, I probably do like the Saint the best, but like Deplorable Dan says, I agree the Type 1 double Eagle is pretty sweet:
My gold set is lacking a little, these are my only two double eagles currently:

both are very nice and original!

PeakRarities

@D808LF said:
Saints!

I also like DC's MCMVI Concept Saint.

However, I do appreciate the crustyness of T1 & T2 Liberty DEs.

The 91-cc and 73 open 3 look borderline ms63, and that 56-s crust is to die for! Those are my favorite value coins, a nice crusty type 1 lib in ch au.

Walkerguy21D

@Copperindian said:
It’s a toss up for me - I like both designs; each offers something different!

Same here, especially in OGHS:

GoldFinger1969

Because of the holes in the complete series especially the Carson City's....and because they were minted later when many of today's collectors may have seen them in the 1960's or earlier growing up....the Saint-Gaudens type has far more collectors.

However, the Liberty Head DE has its own appeal. A large coin in its own right, there's something to be said about just having Liberty's portrait on the obverse as opposed to a striding Liberty and other features on the Saint-Gaudens. One big device....large fields. A clean, simple design.