MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Wire Rim. MS-65 (PCGS). This captivating Gem possesses the quality and eye appeal so eagerly sought for this classic gold issue, yet which most survivors fail to deliver. Satin to softly frosted surfaces are further adorned with vivid color in deep golden-honey. Wisps of reddish-rose toning enliven both sides. Expectably full in striking detail for the type, with remarkably smooth, highly appealing surfaces that will please even the most discerning gold enthusiast.The 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Never a man to shrink from a challenge or get bogged down in bureaucratic red tape, President Theodore Roosevelt engaged sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to replace what Roosevelt referred to as the "atrocious hideousness" of the coin designs then in use. He and Saint-Gaudens bypassed Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber, numerous committees, and Congress to create some of the most inspired coin designs in Americas history. The obverse was modeled after Saint-Gaudens Winged Nike figure on the General William Tecumseh Sherman Memorial in New York Citys Central Park and is paired with an elegant, if not entirely realistic rendition of a flying eagle on the reverse.In order to bring up the three dimensional nature of the design, each coin required at a minimum three to five strikes, as well as inspection after each impression. As a result, only 12,367 coins were struck for circulation in the High Relief format. Of those, at least two-thirds are of the Wire Rim variety offered here. The Wire Rim was actually not intended as part of the overall design but rather was an artifact of the striking process. During striking, if the collar was not sufficiently tightened, metal would be pushed to where the coins edge and collar meet. Even the slightest misalignment of the obverse and reverse dies would force metal into the gap, forming the "fin" (as the Mint referred to this feature). A second collar was employed that largely eliminated the Wire Rim, but the slow nature of the minting process eventually necessitated a reworking of the entire design to reduce the relief.We estimate that perhaps 6,000 are known for both varieties of the 1907 High Relief double eagle combined, or about half the mintage, as these were appreciated in their own time and many were saved. However, few can match the quality of this Gem PCGS MS-65 example. PCGS# 9135. NGC ID: 26F2.
