1908 Saint Gaudens No Motto (PCGS; MS66).

 

 

                                             

 

The 1908 "No Motto" Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin is a unique and significant piece in American numismatics. Designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the coin is widely considered one of the most beautiful in U.S. history. The "No Motto" version of this coin is particularly special due to its distinct design, historical context, and rarity.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens was commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt to redesign the nation's coinage, aiming to bring a level of artistry and beauty that American coins had lacked. The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a $20 gold coin, was the result of this effort. One of its most notable design features is the depiction of Lady Liberty striding forward confidently, holding a torch and an olive branch, with rays of sunlight in the background. On the reverse, a majestic eagle soars above the sun. The coin embodies themes of liberty, progress, and American spirit.

The uniqueness of the 1908 version lies in the absence of the national motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST," which was included on most other U.S. coins of the era. When Roosevelt saw the original design, he believed that placing the motto on coins could be viewed as irreverent, particularly given the potential for coins to be used in gambling and other activities. Thus, the initial mintage of the 1908 Double Eagle was struck without the motto, resulting in the "No Motto" version.

Public and Congressional backlash over the exclusion of the motto was swift, with many Americans considering it an essential expression of national values. Consequently, later in 1908, Congress mandated the inclusion of "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the coin, making the "No Motto" coins a relatively scarce sub-issue.

This short-lived "No Motto" variant is now a sought-after collector's item. Its scarcity, combined with the exquisite artistry of Saint-Gaudens' design and the intriguing historical debate over the motto's inclusion, makes the 1908 "No Motto" Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle a standout piece for collectors and historians alike.