Designed by: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Issue Dates: 1907-1908
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.43 grams (516.00 grains)
Edge: Lettered E PLURIBUS UNUM
Business Strike Mintage: 5,294,968
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 5

1907–1908 No Motto Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle | Liberty in Motion | Shallow Relief Type

The 1907–1908 Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle – No Motto type represents the first widely circulated iteration of what is often hailed as America’s most beautiful coin design. Following the limited run of High Relief MCMVII issues, the design was modified by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber to allow for more practical mass production. The most notable changes included lower relief details and a transition from Roman numerals to Arabic numeralsfor the date.

At the insistence of President Theodore Roosevelt, this early subtype was also struck without the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”, reflecting Roosevelt’s belief in the separation of church and state—a decision that sparked public debate and ultimately led to the motto’s reinstatement in 1908.

Design Details & Artistic Legacy

• Obverse: Liberty strides forward with torch and olive branch in hand, rays of the rising sun and the U.S. Capitol building in the background. A bold ring of 46 stars (symbolizing the number of states in the Union at the time) encircles the design. The date is now presented in Arabic numerals rather than the MCMVII format.

• Reverse: An eagle soars leftward above a radiant sunburst, evoking strength, freedom, and renewal. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS appear in two lines at the top, preserving the elegant symmetry introduced by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Rarity & Market Insight

Struck at Philadelphia and Denver during 1907 and early 1908, the No Motto Saint-Gaudens double eagle remains a distinct two-year subtype that holds great appeal for both type collectors and those interested in presidential and political numismatics.

• Available in grades from Extremely Fine (XF) to About Uncirculated (AU) with some regularity.

• Uncirculated examples are accessible, though superb Gem Uncirculated specimens (MS65 and higher) are decidedly scarce and command strong premiums.

• Coins from both mints (especially 1908-D) are increasingly pursued for high-grade registry sets and historic gold collections.

Why Collect This Type

This short-lived No Motto variety is more than a transitional coin—it’s a snapshot of American ideological history, directly shaped by Roosevelt’s vision of a "Renaissance" in U.S. coinage. It stands at the intersection of numismatic art, politics, and history, making it a must-have for collectors of classic U.S. gold.