MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Flat Rim. AU-55 (PCGS).This is a vibrant yellow-gold example with satiny luster throughout the fields and just the faintest evidence of circulation. Sharply struck and free from distracting abrasions, with a shallow mark at the end of Libertys hair to be used for pedigree purposes. Mass production of the Saint-Gaudens High Relief double eagle was not feasible and a drastically reduced relief version by Barber ended up winning out, but not before 12,367 coins came off the Mints presses. Of these, roughly one-third exhibit the Flat Rim as offered here. The coins became the hot commodity of their day, so much so that by the time these pieces entered commercial channels through the sub-treasuries and large banking institutions, premiums were very quickly attached to them, up to $30 per piece. As a result, most examples were quickly snatched up by numismatists and others before seeing active circulation. The Flat Rim feature was noted in the numismatic community as early as 1908 and has been frequently collected as a separate variety, earning a significant premium for their scarcity and numismatic significance.
