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1907 $20 St. Gaudens. High Relief, Flat Rim
1649
1907. High Relief, Roman Numerals, Flat Rim. PCGS graded MS-65+ PQ.
CAC
Approved
.
The 1907 High Relief, Flat Rim is considered to be two to three times as
rare as the Wire Rim style of High Relief. As many collectors desire an example of each
style of High Relief, these Flat Rim coins bring a modest premium, but nothing com-
pared to the overall rarity when compared to the Wire Rim coins. The surfaces exhibit
the classic deep dish fields with the devices standing tall above the center of the coin.
Liberty appears to literally walk right off the obverse. Similar on the reverse the elegant
flying eagle has such exceptional depth that he appears to be flying above the coin. The
total number known is likely around 1,000 to 1,500 pieces given the numbers graded by
PCGS, although they estimate a higher number of 2,500 with the majority being mint
state. Approximately 20 percent of those known do exhibit circulation evidence. This
splendid gem is worthy of the finest collection, and will be a stunning addition to even
the most advanced set. Very choice in every regard.
These majestic coins were the result President “Teddy” Roosevelt demanding improve-
ments to our coinage. He discussed with the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens
as early as 1905 and pleaded with him to assist in designing new coins, to replace the
“atrociously hideous” coinage then current. Saint-Gaudens had tried to work with the
Philadelphia Mint before, but always found the institution unwelcoming to outsiders. At
last Saint-Gaudens had a powerful ally, the President of the United States! What could
possibly go wrong? Well we all know that story. Soon Saint-Gaudens was producing
models of incredible coins, with three dimensional relief that simply could not be struck
up in a single blow from the dies by even the strongest coining presses. These High
Relief coins required three to five blows from the dies before they were struck up ad-
equately, a fact that simply could not be accomplished with any degree of speed. Each
coin required examination, multiple strikes and time, time which production schedules
simply did not allow. Meanwhile Saint-Gaudens passed away from a long standing illness
and seeing his coinage come to fruition was left to his able assistant Henry Herring.
It was through Herring’s efforts that these High Relief coins were produced. After ap-
proximately 11,250 pieces were created, coinage of the High Relief style was halted,
and soon a greatly reduced, modified and less glorious 1907 double eagle was being
struck—each just one time—and ready for the mass production that the Philadelphia
Mint needed to achieve. Hence these High Relief coins stand as a testament to the artis-
tic desires of a great sculptor and his assistant, who went against the Mint officials and
produced what is arguably our most handsome coin.
Pop 9; 60 finer (PCGS # 9136)
Estimated Value..................................................................................... $40,000-UP
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.