2009 Ultra High
Relief
Double Eagle Edge-Lettering
Next January, the United
States Mint will issue the 2009 Ultra High Relief
Double Eagle Gold Coin. This coin promises to fulfill
Augustus Saint-Gaudens vision of an ultra high
relief coin that could not be realized in 1907 with
his legendary Double Eagle liberty design.
The 2009 Ultra High Relief
Double Eagle Gold Coin will show the Nation and the
world the very best the United States Mint has to
offer. The 21st century vision of the United States
Mint, combined with technological advances, enabled
the United States Mint to realize the previously unattainable
goal of making the coin accessible to all Americans.
Through 21st century
technology and the vision of Director Ed Moy, original
Saint-Gaudens coin plasters were digitally mapped
by the United States Mint. Using the digital design
and die-making process, the Saint-Gaudens sculpture
in ultra high relief has been updated
to reflect the year 2009, an additional four stars
to represent the current 50 states, and the inscription
In God We Trust, which was not on the
1907 version.
Additionally, a small
border was added for a more consistent edge. The 2009
coin will be made of 24-karat gold, rather than the
originals 22-karat grade. Pure 24-karat gold
is much more malleable than 22-karat, making it better
material for striking the ultra high relief.
The United States Mint
looks forward to the 21st century and a new era of
modern coinage. It eagerly continues the tradition
of embodying Americas spirit and identity through
its coins and medals. The coin is a uniquely American
artistic expression created by an American
sculptor and crafted by an iconic American institution.
The 2009 Ultra High Relief
Double Eagle Gold Coin closes one chapter of American
coin design and begins a new one. We have perfected
what has been called one of the most beautiful coins
in the world, but, like America itself, there is much
more on the horizon.