MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Flat Rim. EF-45 (PCGS). This is a handsome MCMVII double eagle, displaying warm reddish-gold patina. The devices retain overall bold striking detail and only very light wear to the highest elements of the design. Satiny in texture with ample luster remaining, the popularity of this issue is sure to result in keen bidder interest in this more affordable, yet still technically sound and visually appealing survivor. The Flat Rim is the scarcer of the two varieties of the MCMVII High Relief double eagle, only 4,000 or so examples from a mintage of 12,367 believed to have been struck using planchets of revised diameter that prevented formation of a partial wire rim.When the modified High Relief $20 design was finally ready for at least a modest production run, because it took somewhere between three and five strikes to properly bring up the design, metal would be pushed where the coins edge and collar meet if the collar was not tightened sufficiently. Mint personnel found that even the most minute of die misalignment would cause this "fin" or Wire Rim to show. After some tinkering, the Mint solved the problem by introducing a second collar was introduced in mid December that largely eliminated the Wire Rim, though the somewhat more convoluted production process made mass production an impossibility, thus leaving these few beautiful coins to enchant numismatists for generations to come. Perennially popular, the addition of any High Relief double eagle is a source of great pride.
