Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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High Relief Double Eagles
1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS65 PCGS Secure. Renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a perfectionist of the highest order, often extending his projects past agreed-upon deadlines to achieve the best results. Well-known architect Stanford White observed in a letter dated August 13, 1888 to Henry Adams: " ... even with a contract and a time and price set, it was hard enough to get anything out of Saint-Gaudens." White was one of Saint-Gaudens closest friends and collaborator on several of the sculptor's monumental projects. This was a well-informed comment as he had seen up close how Saint-Gaudens worked. It took Saint-Gaudens 11 years to complete the Sherman Memorial. He was still not pleased with his Garfield Monument after it was installed, and offered to make alterations at his own expense 10 years after it was erected. By comparison, the ten and twenty dollar gold coins went relatively quickly. The concept was first broached by President Roosevelt in December 1904 and the first High Reliefs were produced two and a half years later in September 1907. This was the nature of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, his perfectionism drove him to seldom be fully satisfied with any sculpture. Even after his death, his assistant, Henry Hering, attempted to intercede with the Mint and strike twenty dollar gold coins with only moderately reduced relief. But after 12,367 High Reliefs had been struck, President Roosevelt had accomplished his "pet crime," and there was no further need for Executive intervention with Mint personnel to strike more gold coins multiple times with a hydraulic press.
The present coin is a delightful Gem specimen, worthy of Saint-Gaudens' approval. The design elements are sharply detailed, with a distinct wire rim around the edge of the coin. The well-preserved orange-gold surfaces radiate vibrant mint luster and eye appeal is terrific.
From The Azalea Collection.
1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS65 PCGS Secure. Renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a perfectionist of the highest order, often extending his projects past agreed-upon deadlines to achieve the best results. Well-known architect Stanford White observed in a letter dated August 13, 1888 to Henry Adams: " ... even with a contract and a time and price set, it was hard enough to get anything out of Saint-Gaudens." White was one of Saint-Gaudens closest friends and collaborator on several of the sculptor's monumental projects. This was a well-informed comment as he had seen up close how Saint-Gaudens worked. It took Saint-Gaudens 11 years to complete the Sherman Memorial. He was still not pleased with his Garfield Monument after it was installed, and offered to make alterations at his own expense 10 years after it was erected. By comparison, the ten and twenty dollar gold coins went relatively quickly. The concept was first broached by President Roosevelt in December 1904 and the first High Reliefs were produced two and a half years later in September 1907. This was the nature of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, his perfectionism drove him to seldom be fully satisfied with any sculpture. Even after his death, his assistant, Henry Hering, attempted to intercede with the Mint and strike twenty dollar gold coins with only moderately reduced relief. But after 12,367 High Reliefs had been struck, President Roosevelt had accomplished his "pet crime," and there was no further need for Executive intervention with Mint personnel to strike more gold coins multiple times with a hydraulic press.
The present coin is a delightful Gem specimen, worthy of Saint-Gaudens' approval. The design elements are sharply detailed, with a distinct wire rim around the edge of the coin. The well-preserved orange-gold surfaces radiate vibrant mint luster and eye appeal is terrific.
From The Azalea Collection.