Looking To Buy My First Double Eagle

Pick what you like but slabbed coins will not cost much more than raw ones so at least buy NGC/PCGS slabbed. Liberties typically are a bit less than St Gaudens. If you want a specific date it will cost you more than a random one. Right now Bullion Exchanges has some in stock, but they don't carry a steady inventory.

I would stay away from the 1904 Liberty or the 1924 Saint as these are the most common dates. My recommendation for your first purchase would be a 1927 MS65 NGC or PCGS Saint that can be found for less than $2500. You will get the most bang for your buck on this coin and grade. Buy from a reputable dealer.

The Liberty is a difficult find in grades below MS65 with strong luster and minimal marks on obverse.
A Liberty in MS65 starts off around 4K.

Looking at $20 Liberties on ebay, I'm disappointed at the current pricing for the ones I like. Circulated S mints pre 1870 used to sell for 10% over melt, and now sell at 50% over melt. Circulated cc's used to sell for $2500, now details coins start at $4000. This is not due to an increase in the price of gold, and is insensitive to recent drops in gold prices. These are not rare coins by any means. They used to be considered bullion.

Maybe there will be a day of reckoning. Someday. But right now I'm not seeing any buying opportunities.

I bought a cleaned xf 1912 Canada $10 for $60 over spot, or about 7%. Low grade common US double eagles are trading at 15% over spot. No bargains of any kind.

I like this site better for $20 Saints and Liberty's as you can pick your coin from photo vs random date.
https://www.mintstategold.com/

It really astonishes me that double eagles have gone from being bullion coins to collector coins over the two years since this thread started. If there is any value in beauty, common MS65 Saints still trade at $2500 right now, about 50% over melt. But similar Liberty Heads, and all uncommon and early dates, are through the roof even at XF.

Dealers I used to buy from are holding a lot of those "collectible" coins in stock right now. If you want one open up your checkbook and write large numbers..after making a small offer..

The last several coins shows I've attended, I've noticed the premiums keep going up. I believe it's a combination of this looming inflation, idiots in office, and supply & demand. A couple of years back, dealers were just trying to move coins, whereas now, they can't keep them in stock.

I absolutely love $20 gold pieces. St. Gaudens $20's are (in my opinion, hands down) the most beautiful U.S. gold design. I don't necessarily agree that you should feel hamstrung to get a 65. I don't own a single 65 and my 64's are gorgeous with minimal marks or distractions (with one exception...but heck..that one was CAC'd...anyway I digress).

I agree the premiums on ALL pre-1933 gold have skyrocketed. Even the premiums on simple bullion seems a bit out-of-whack. Personally, I'm not jumping for joy to buy another gold coin (with the exception of $3's) because of the high premiums. However, if you wait by the sidelines for prices to go down, you might be waiting a long time or wait too long and wish you bought sooner.

Here's a recent 64 I picked up when I was able to get it at a fairly reasonable premium (...and I have to say that these pictures are not the best and I need to reshoot this one). In hand, this coin is beautiful, however maybe not quite as lustrous as a true gem. As far as the technical grade, if CAC didn't shut down it's regular tier, I'd send this end since I think it would have a good shot at a green bean.