1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Edge MS(PCGS#9135)

November 2017 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

10221

等级

MS62+

价格

143,201

详细说明

Classic High Relief Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. Proof-62+ (NGC). Highly desirable in circulation strike format, the Proof MCMVII High Relief double eagle is the province of even more advanced gold collectors. This enigmatic issue has an unknown mintage, although collateral evidence supports a theory that the Mint prepared a few with extra special care for distribution to particularly noteworthy personages. We say extra special care because "normal" High Relief double eagles were already struck multiple times in order to impart sharp definition throughout the design. The Proofs required "six or seven impressions apiece from the dies," per Walter Breen (1988 Encyclopedia). The author also provides diagnostics of the Proofs that are useful in differentiating these pieces from the circulation strikes: "In general, a possible proof will differ from ordinary (!) MCMVII coins in having inner borders sharp on both sides, relief details fully brought up, all berries rounded, all Capitol pillars countable, all tail feathers with clear ends; edge letters are bolder than on normal strikings in the same collar, with horizontal striations between them." All of these features are discernible on the present piece, and the coin also displays the faint, slanting die line (as made) between the rays in the right obverse field that we have also seen on most Proof High Relief double eagles certified by NGC. Closer inspection with a loupe reveals numerous swirling die polish lines throughout the field areas on both sides. The lovely orange-gold surfaces have pleasing matte luster throughout resulting in a truly appealing nearly Choice example of this beautiful issue. PCGS# 9135. NGC ID: 26F4.