1907 $20 HIGH RELIEF WIRE EDGE MS64+ PCGS CAC

The 1907 $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle High Relief, Wire Rim is one of the most visually stunning and historically significant coins ever struck by the United States Mint. With a mintage of 11,250, this masterpiece, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt, represents the pinnacle of numismatic artistry but was ultimately impractical for mass production. Due to its high-relief design, each coin required multiple strikes—reportedly five—to fully bring out the intricate details, making efficient production unfeasible and necessitating a later revision to a lower-relief format. Of the total mintage, an estimated two-thirds to three-quarters were of the Wire Rim variety, a feature unintentionally created due to striking pressure and collar variations. The coin’s numismatic appeal remains unparalleled, with this example showing lustrous, frosty surfaces and a radiant orange-gold hue that enhances its already impressive strike. Its iconic design, featuring a striding Liberty holding a torch and olive branch, is among the most recognizable in American numismatics. The coin's creation was driven by Roosevelt’s admiration for classical Greek coinage, leading him to commission Saint-Gaudens to redesign U.S. currency. However, the introduction of this coin led to significant resistance from U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber, who opposed its production due to concerns over striking inefficiencies and stacking difficulties. Despite this opposition, Roosevelt insisted on its production, even at the cost of significant time and effort. Eventually, 12,867 High Relief Double Eagles were struck before Barber modified the design to a more practical lower relief, transitioning to Arabic numerals for the date in later issues. The most recent sale of a PCGS MS64+ CAC-certified Wire Rim example realized $48,000 in March 2023 and prior for $47,000. In the past two years, demand has increased tremendously for higher grade examples with MS64 PCGS CAC non-plus costing approximately $45,000+ today. An MS64+ PCGS CAC today at auction will much more. Given the big value jump in MS65 PCGS CAC we find this example highly recommended for its price not to mention its quality has claims to MS65.

PCGS Cert Verification #47463113

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