3958

1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS65 NGC. After the dea 1907[$20] High Relief, Flat Rim MS65 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS65 NGC. After the dea 1907[$20] High Relief, Flat Rim MS65 NGC.
<B>1907<$20> High Relief, Flat Rim MS65 NGC.</B></I> After the death of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (August 3, 1907), Henry Hering, his assistant, attempted to put the modified design or "regular High Relief Roman Numerals" double eagle coinage into production at the Philadelphia Mint. His efforts were thwarted by Mint Engraver Charles Barber, who was convinced that Hering knew nothing about supervising the reduction of relief models for making master dies. Walter Breen, in his <I>Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins,</B></I> writes that: "Over Barber's objections, and only at the direct orders of President Roosevelt ("Begin the new issue even if it takes you all day to strike one piece!"), the second set of experimental master dies (MCMVII Regular High Relief) went into production about Nov. 18, 1907." Breen continues: "Some reports give the total issue as 11,250, others as 12,153; the former figure is better attested....Each normal striking required five blows from the press to bring the design up to acceptable clarity of relief detail."<BR> The Flat Rim variety of the 1907 High Relief was introduced to solve the perceived problem of a wire rim that was created by an extruded rim of metal caused by a tiny bit of gold that squeezed between the die and collar from repeated blows from the press. Flat Rim coins are considered to be several times scarcer than their Wire Rim counterparts; of the 11,000 plus High relief mintage, approximately 3,000 coins are estimated to be Flat Rim.<BR> The Gem example presented in the current lot displays the usual satiny-like luster and rich yellow-gold coloration common to most High Relief twenties. The medal-like relief exhibits expectantly bold impressions throughout, with excellent definition apparent on Liberty's head, fingers, and toes; minor softness is noted on the Capitol dome. Well cared for surfaces are devoid of significant abrasions, revealing a few unobtrusive, minute marks on the rays to the right of Liberty's left (right