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Lot 1649
1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High Relief, Flat Rim PCGS MS65. PCGS graded MS-65+ PQ. CAC Approved. The 1907 High Relief, Flat Rim is considered to be two to three times as rare as the Wire Rim style of High Relief. As many collectors desire an example of each style of High Relief, these Flat Rim coins bring a modest premium, but nothing compared to the overall rarity when compared to the Wire Rim coins. The surfaces exhibit the classic deep dish fields with the devices standing tall above the center of the coin. Liberty appears to literally walk right off the obverse. Similar on the reverse the elegant flying eagle has such exceptional depth that he appears to be flying above the coin. The total number known is likely around 1,000 to 1,500 pieces given the numbers graded by PCGS, although they estimate a higher number of 2,500 with the majority being mint state. Approximately 20 percent of those known do exhibit circulation evidence. This splendid gem is worthy of the finest collection, and will be a stunning addition to even the most advanced set. Very choice in every regard.
These majestic coins were the result President "Teddy" Roosevelt demanding improvements to our coinage. He discussed with the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens as early as 1905 and pleaded with him to assist in designing new coins, to replace the "atrociously hideous" coinage then current. Saint-Gaudens had tried to work with the Philadelphia Mint before, but always found the institution unwelcoming to outsiders. At last Saint-Gaudens had a powerful ally, the President of the United States! What could possibly go wrong? Well we all know that story. Soon Saint-Gaudens was producing models of incredible coins, with three dimensional relief that simply could not be struck up in a single blow from the dies by even the strongest coining presses. These High Relief coins required three to five blows from the dies before they were struck up adequately, a fact that simply could not be accomplished with any degree of speed. Each coin required examination, multiple strikes and time, time which production schedules simply did not allow. Meanwhile Saint-Gaudens passed away from a long standing illness and seeing his coinage come to fruition was left to his able assistant Henry Herring. It was through Herring's efforts that these High Relief coins were produced. After approximately 11,250 pieces were created, coinage of the High Relief style was halted, and soon a greatly reduced, modified and less glorious 1907 double eagle was being struck--each just one time--and ready for the mass production that the Philadelphia Mint needed to achieve. Hence these High Relief coins stand as a testament to the artistic desires of a great sculptor and his assistant, who went against the Mint officials and produced what is arguably our most handsome coin. Pop 9; 60 finer (PCGS # 9136) Estimated Value $40,000-UP
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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| Realized $55,225 |
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