LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

3354

1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS66 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:65,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS66 NGC
<B>1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS66 NGC.</B></I> Executing the design for what would later be termed "the most beautiful coin ever struck for circulation" was among the final activities of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Sadly, the great artist and sculptor died before any of the double eagle coins of his magnificent conception were ever released to the public. This was the culmination of a two-year project initiated in 1905, when Saint-Gaudens and President Theodore Roosevelt discussed the artistic impoverishment of American designs, and instituted a plan to upgrade the appearance of our national coinage. Ultimately, the two men hoped to produce coinage with sufficient aesthetic merit to compete, artistically, with the beautiful high relief pieces of ancient Greece.<BR> The initial Ultra High Relief design of Saint-Gaudens was produced to the extent of fewer than two dozen or so examples. These coins were distributed to important individuals in the government, including Theodore Roosevelt himself, and Chief Engraver Charles Barber reportedly owned eight specimens by 1916 (according to Roger Burdette). Since these Ultra High Relief pieces could not be produced with a single strike from the dies, they were considered impractical for regular coinage, as Roosevelt and Saint-Gaudens were eventually forced to concede. The High Relief coins represented a transitional step between the Ultra High Relief design and the Arabic Numerals version, which featured a further-lowered design relief that became the standard for the series after 1907.<BR> This conditionally scarce, high grade example displays smooth, virtually untouched surfaces that include matte-like fields and a lovely, shimmering, satin finish over both sides. The design elements are crisply produced, and the overall visual impression of the coin is entirely consistent with the lofty Premium Gem grade assessment by NGC. Census: 26 in 66, 8 finer (12/07). <BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Augustus Saint-Gaudens<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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