Collecting the later Saint-Gaudens double eagles have long presented a formidable challenge and the 1927-S double eagle is no exception. One of the well-known rarities of the type, the 1927-S suffered the fate of many such coins from its era. While more than three million coins were struck, almost all were immediately ensconced in Treasury hands. The 1930s and the Great Depression brought about the wholesale melting down of gold coins and all the 1927-S double eagles in government vaults made their way to the furnace, alongside those of the legendary 1927-D and other issues. A few examples entered commercial channels and some specimens show traces of actual circulation. Most of the estimated 200 or so pieces that remain are in AU or the very lowest Mint State levels, repatriations from foreign bank hoards.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the D. Brent Pogue Part VII Auction, where it realized $264,000.