Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
High Relief Double Eagles
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim, MS63 PCGS. About 70% of the famous MCMVII High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagles show a pronounced fin of gold around the edge of the coin. This was caused by metal extruding through the narrow gap between the die and collar when the coins were struck. Although present-day collectors prize this feature as an interesting artifact of mint production techniques, the rim was viewed as a serious flaw at the time. It made the coins difficult to stack for counting and inventory purposes and it was feared that the fin of soft metal would quickly wear away, reducing the intrinsic value of the coin. Since the coins were almost all preserved as mementoes from the time of issue, neither of these concerns turned out to be important. But 13 Mint officials still worked hard to eliminate the offending fin. Thanks mostly to the efforts of Mint Director Frank Leach, the fin was finally eliminated by modifying the dimensions of the planchet and changing the upset angle slightly. As a result of these changes, coins produced after December 16, 1907 do not show the famous fin, but the majority of the 12,367 High Relief double eagles struck do have this now-popular feature. So far, the market makes little price distinction between the issues, as collectors are almost always satisfied to acquire just one specimen of either type. This piece shows just the slightest trace of the fin or "wire rim," the majority of the rim on each side being completely flat. Each side is bright with the usual satin finish. Only the slightest contact marks can be observed with magnification.
From The Renz Family Collection of $20 Gold Coins.
1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim, MS63 PCGS. About 70% of the famous MCMVII High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagles show a pronounced fin of gold around the edge of the coin. This was caused by metal extruding through the narrow gap between the die and collar when the coins were struck. Although present-day collectors prize this feature as an interesting artifact of mint production techniques, the rim was viewed as a serious flaw at the time. It made the coins difficult to stack for counting and inventory purposes and it was feared that the fin of soft metal would quickly wear away, reducing the intrinsic value of the coin. Since the coins were almost all preserved as mementoes from the time of issue, neither of these concerns turned out to be important. But 13 Mint officials still worked hard to eliminate the offending fin. Thanks mostly to the efforts of Mint Director Frank Leach, the fin was finally eliminated by modifying the dimensions of the planchet and changing the upset angle slightly. As a result of these changes, coins produced after December 16, 1907 do not show the famous fin, but the majority of the 12,367 High Relief double eagles struck do have this now-popular feature. So far, the market makes little price distinction between the issues, as collectors are almost always satisfied to acquire just one specimen of either type. This piece shows just the slightest trace of the fin or "wire rim," the majority of the rim on each side being completely flat. Each side is bright with the usual satin finish. Only the slightest contact marks can be observed with magnification.
From The Renz Family Collection of $20 Gold Coins.