Lot 1946
1907. High Relief, Roman Numerals, Flat Rim. PCGS graded MS-64. Splendid golden toning. A full bold strike. Brilliant, lustrous, and of strict high-end quality in all areas, this lovely MS64 MCMVII High Relief Saint-Gaudens beauty will, we are confident, find a home either with a type set buyer or with a double eagle specialist or, possibly with someone who is attracted to the fame of the coin. The High Relief $20 gold piece has long been admired as America's most beautiful gold coin.
From the beginning of his Presidency, Theodore Roosevelt marveled at the artistry of ancient Greek coins. He considered contemporary U.S. designs to be insipid and bland by comparison. Having made acquaintance with the high priests in fine art of the day, he negotiated a contract with Augustus Saint-Gaudens to produce this $20 gold coin. Saint-Gaudens was one of America's foremost sculptors of the day. Keeping the Treasury Department and the Mint in the dark, Roosevelt gave Saint-Gaudens free license to come up with ideas. This 1907 $20 gold coin is Saint-Gaudens’s legacy to all Americans (PCGS # 9136) .
Historic note: No coin sale would be complete without at least one offering of this beautiful and prized High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20 gold piece struck in 1907. The coin is an example of the so-called Flat Rim variety; the other or Wire Rim has a "fin" of metal was forced up between the dies and the restraining collar during repeated impressions. Often 3 to 5 blows by the dies were required to strike the High Reliefs fully. The surviving numbers of the High Relief twenties has always been a subject of discussion, but those in better grade were obviously set aside at the time of issue and remain cherished possessions today.
Estimated Value $23,000 - 24,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
