Collection: Type 1, High Relief (St. Gaudens)

Designed by: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Issue Date: 1907
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.43 grams (515.99 grains)
Edge: Lettered E PLURIBUS UNUM with stars interspersing
Business Strike Mintage: 11,250
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 25

1907 $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – High Relief | Iconic Sculptural Masterpiece

The 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle stands among the most celebrated coins in American numismatics—widely regarded as the pinnacle of U.S. coin artistry. Sculpted by renowned artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt, the design marked a bold departure from traditional motifs and ushered in a new era of American coinage.

This High Relief issue follows a very limited production of fewer than two dozen Ultra High Relief patterns and represents the only circulating format of the design to retain much of Saint-Gaudens' original three-dimensional intent. Struck in medallic alignment using special equipment, a total of 11,250 examples were produced in 1907 before the relief was lowered to accommodate mass production.

Design & Aesthetic Detail

• Obverse: Features Liberty striding confidently forward from the rising sun, holding a torch and olive branch, with flowing drapery and a backdrop of radiant sun rays and the U.S. Capitol. The legend LIBERTY arcs above, and the date is inscribed in Roman numerals MCMVII.

• Reverse: Displays a majestic eagle in flight, echoing Saint-Gaudens’ earlier work on the Flying Eagle cent, soaring above a stylized sun with resplendent rays. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS are arranged in two stately lines above.

Rarity & Market Appeal

Although this issue was intended for circulation, the 1907 High Relief was immediately recognized as a numismatic treasure and often preserved as a collectible from the time of issue. Most surviving examples are found in About Uncirculated to Uncirculated condition, though many display light friction on Liberty’s highest points.

• Superb Uncirculated (MS65 and above) examples are decidedly rare, especially those exhibiting sharp detail and full satiny luster.

• These coins frequently appear in elite collections and are aggressively pursued by collectors of U.S. gold type coins, Saint-Gaudens specialists, and those drawn to the Golden Age of American coin design.

Legacy

The 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is more than a coin—it is a national treasure in miniature sculpture. Heralded as one of the most beautiful coins ever struck by the United States Mint, its artistic merit, low mintage, and iconic historical context make it an essential addition to advanced U.S. gold collections and an enduring symbol of numismatic excellence.