Saint Gaudens Double eagle

side of 1907 high relief double eagle showing edge lettering , surface detail

the saint-gaudens double eagle named designer, augustus saint-gaudens, 1 of premier sculptors in american history. theodore roosevelt imposed upon him in last few years redesign nation s coinage @ beginning of 20th century. saint-gaudens work on high-relief $20 gold piece considered 1 of extraordinary pieces of art on american coin. mint insisted on low-relief version, high-relief coin took eleven strikes bring details , did not stack correctly banking purposes. 12,367 of these coins struck in 1907. these coins top $10,000 price in circulated grades, can reach half million dollars in best states of preservation.

there several changes in years of design. first coins issued in 1907 design featured date in roman numerals, changed later year more convenient arabic numerals. motto in god trust omitted initial design, roosevelt felt putting name of god on money used immoral purposes inappropriate. act of congress, motto added in mid-1908.

the design of saint-gaudens coin changed once more when new mexico , arizona became states in 1912, , number of stars along rim accordingly increased 46 48.

double eagles routinely minted through 1933, although few of last years coinages released before gold recall legislation of year. accordingly, these issues (when u.s. treasury permits individuals own them) bring high prices.

the saint-gaudens obverse design reused in american eagle gold bullion coins instituted in 1986. 1907 double eagles , 1986-1991 gold american eagles instances of roman numerals denoting date on american coinage.

on january 22, 2009, u.s. mint released ultra-high relief double eagles using deep design saint-gaudens envisioned, that u.s. mint could, web site states fulfill augustus saint-gaudens vision of ultra high relief coin not realized in 1907 legendary double eagle liberty design. despite claim, however, mint reaffirmed doomed first attempts in 1907. coin s highly abradable 0.9999 fine gold composition , multiple strikes required bring design not practical business strikes. because of higher gold content, , greater striking pressure, coins 27 mm wide , 4 mm deep (the same diameter gold eagle), rather 34 mm x 2 mm had been established u.s. $20 gold coins. initial selling price $1239. rising price of gold june had climbed $1339, , december $1489. there no limit on coinage of these 1 time uncirculated issues, bear date mmix . in september, 1 coin per person ordering restriction removed. final mintage 115,178.