Lot 1362
1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High relief, Roman numerals, wire rim. NGC graded MS-63. Lightly toned. A few tiny marks above Liberty's shoulder otherwise MS64. In the summer of 1907, Saint-Gaudens, who had been in failing health for some time, took a turn for the worse, and in August he died. Ironically, he never lived to see examples of his own High Relief Double Eagle design. After President Theodore Roosevelt had been appeased by the striking of 11,250 High Relief coins, the Mint got permission to revise its design, in which the relief was lowered, the Roman numerals cast aside, and more familiar numeral punches used for the date. This was amenable to high-speed production but collectors would prefer it if the mint had fashioned a few more high relief issues in later years, just for the beauty of the coins.
To reiterate: both sides are beaming with fresh-gold iridescence that accents the ample luster. Even the finest, most delicate detail is seen on this coin struck with uncommon exactness for the issue.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 22,000.
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| Realized $24,150 |
