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 NGC. Manufacture of Saint-Gaudens' High Relief double eagles was time-consuming, but ultimately it was also a process that Mint personnel learned a great deal from. At the start of production, it took 12 minutes to strike each coin. Efficiency increased as the months passed and the coiners became more familiar with the hydraulic press. The most time-consuming part of the minting process was how to best use the segmented collar to impart a raised legend around the edge of the coins. In November 1907, Chief Engraver Charles Barber reported innovative progress:
" ... Mr. Hart is working up an attachment that we hope to use on the press to put the inscription on the periphery, if this works as we anticipate, it will save much time in giving the last blow, as it will save the operation of taking the collars out of the press and knocking the coin out by hand, and then placing the sectional collar back in position, which is a slow process."
Mint personnel were allowed overtime work on Sundays (their only day off) in order to keep up with the demand for the High Relief twenties. By the end of the year, a total of 12,367 pieces had been struck. The reception by the general public as well as the numismatic community was highly enthusiastic, and a secondary market developed immediately for the new coins.
This is a solid Gem example that exhibits the thick, satiny surfaces one expects of High Reliefs. The strike details are complete throughout and the there are no noticeable or mentionable contact marks on either side.
1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim MS65 NGC. Manufacture of Saint-Gaudens' High Relief double eagles was time-consuming, but ultimately it was also a process that Mint personnel learned a great deal from. At the start of production, it took 12 minutes to strike each coin. Efficiency increased as the months passed and the coiners became more familiar with the hydraulic press. The most time-consuming part of the minting process was how to best use the segmented collar to impart a raised legend around the edge of the coins. In November 1907, Chief Engraver Charles Barber reported innovative progress:
" ... Mr. Hart is working up an attachment that we hope to use on the press to put the inscription on the periphery, if this works as we anticipate, it will save much time in giving the last blow, as it will save the operation of taking the collars out of the press and knocking the coin out by hand, and then placing the sectional collar back in position, which is a slow process."
Mint personnel were allowed overtime work on Sundays (their only day off) in order to keep up with the demand for the High Relief twenties. By the end of the year, a total of 12,367 pieces had been struck. The reception by the general public as well as the numismatic community was highly enthusiastic, and a secondary market developed immediately for the new coins.
This is a solid Gem example that exhibits the thick, satiny surfaces one expects of High Reliefs. The strike details are complete throughout and the there are no noticeable or mentionable contact marks on either side.