Not counting the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20, there is no greater regular-issue rarity among 20th-century gold coinage than the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle. From an original mintage of 180,000, only about 13-14 are known, and thus it is an ultra-rare piece regardless of grade. The remaining coins are thought to have been melted or destroyed.

The prestige of this coin has only risen over the years, as at one time other issues, including the 1926-S, 1927-S, and 1931-D were thought to be rarer, but hoard discoveries disproved that numismatic theory. On the rare occasion that a 1927-D is offered for sale, it is now a reliable seven-figure coin.