5400

[L#5400] 1907 High Relief $20 WE NGC MS63

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:4,125.50 USD Estimated At:16,502.00 - 30,942.00 USD
[L#5400] 1907 High Relief $20 WE NGC MS63
Giving his artistic expression full rein, the sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, had the date in Roman numerals, MCMVII -- a first on an American coin design -- and the designs themselves in sculpture-like high relief to impress the rest of the world with our technological superiority in coin design. The mint's staff objected forcefully, as those in Philadelphia felt that coinage designs were theirs to decide and it was unfair for the President to enlist the aid of an outside artist -- even if he was the most famous American sculptor of the day -- to create new models. Apart from that, the engraving department at the Mint made it clear that Saint-Gaudens' idea of producing a coinage in high relief for circulation was impractical, for such would require multiple blows on a special press and would not be suitable for high-speed production. After 11,250 or so pieces were struck, the establishment bowed to reality and allowed Charles E. Barber's department to remodel the designs for striking on the regular electrically operated coining presses. (The High Reliefs, because of their unique design, were made on the special medal press in another part of the building, which would never do for annual production levels that in some years topped 4 million coins!)