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1907 $20 High Relief PR66 NGC. 1907[$20] High Relief PR66 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 PR66 NGC. 1907[$20] High Relief PR66 NGC.
<B>1907<$20> High Relief PR66 NGC.</B></I> Quoting recent research this cataloger conducted which was published in the recent Morse Collection catalog:<BR> "Little is known about the existence of proof 1907 High relief double eagles. By definition, a proof coin is one that was struck multiple times on a carefully selected blank, with specially prepared dies. Production of High Relief twenties was a carefully controlled process at the Philadelphia mint requiring the use of a high pressure medal press. According to Roger Burdette's research, mint records indicate each High Relief coin was struck three times. Some may have been annealed between strikings to soften the metal to better accept the next strike. Of course, the dies were of exceptional quality and were subjected to a careful, painstaking maintenance schedule, as they were being used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the entire production of these beautiful coins was completed.<BR> "Could all High Reliefs be considered proofs, or were there special proof strikings at the mint? Modern numismatists and Saint-Gaudens double eagle specialists disagree on this question. Even the two major grading services disagree! PCGS will not certify a regular High Relief gold twenty as a proof, only the Ultra High Relief is eligible for that special status. NGC, on the other hand, will certify proof High Reliefs. Currently, they have encapsulated more than 170 coins with this classification.<BR> "Close examination of literally dozens of certified High Relief proofs (NGC) has failed to help resolve the continuing question. There are not any significant differences such as die lines, striking characteristics, or planchet preparation that are diagnostic to so-called proofs. Any differences between specimens are typically attributable to die wear and die preparation. The coin surfaces were called 'bright' by the mint and were produced the same way as Roman Gold proofs in 1909 and 1910. No genuine examples have been verified with the 'Sandblast' surfaces that were used on gold coins in 1908 and 1911 through 1915. David Akers (1975) wrote: 'There were no Proofs officially struck for collectors, but a small number of pieces do exist that are undoubtedly Proofs based on the fact that they were struck with the lettered edge collar used on the Extremely High Relief. They are also characterized by an unusually satiny surface and a myriad of raised die scratches and swirls in the fields. There are other Proofs with different size edge letters and unusual finishes, including one of the Gilhousen coins and the 'matte Proof' DiBello-Auction '81 specimen."'<BR> "Extensive research by Roger Burdette for his upcoming series of books <I>Renaissance of American Coinage</B></I> does not support the theory of the existence of true proofs-coins that have been produced in a profoundly different manner than the regular issue pieces. During the coining process, it is normal for differences to show in surface appearance, (squiggly die lines from die maintenance and variations in edge appearance), that result from the use of a new versus older die collar. We will leave the final judgment to the individual collector regarding the ongoing controversy about proof versus non-proof status for the MCMVII High Relief double eagles."<BR> This is a wonderfully preserved example exhibiting myriad squiggly die polishing lines in the fields. In fact, close examination shows the <I>EXACT</B></I> configuring of polishing lines on the Proof 64 specimen we are also offering in this sale proving both coins were struck from the same die pairing. Portions of a Wire Edge are seen on both the obverse and reverse, but not completely so on either side (as is normal). Each side imparts a subtle green-gold finish, although yellow is the predominate shade. A single microscopic curving mark is noted in the left obverse field near the 9 o'clock position near the rim. This is only mentioned as an aid for future identification. An exceptional opportunity to acquire this proof variant of the always-popular High Relief twenty. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</