1907 High  Relief (1907 $20 High Relief) Wire Rim, NGC MS64. 1907 $20 Saint-Gaudens, High Relief, Roman Numerals (MCMVII), Wire Rim. It was the intention of President Theodore Roosevelt, who hand-selected Saint-Gaudens to redesign the $20 gold piece, that our coinage should receive a face lift and be elevated to the level of artistry achieved by the ancient Greeks.

He believed that coinage was reflective of the society that produced it and wanted designs befitting our status as a major world power and leading democracy. Americas largest circulating denomination coin, the gold double eagle, was to be the centerpiece of this renaissance. Saint-Gaudens rendering of Lady Liberty on the obverse and a flying eagle on the reverse certainly achieved the desired result.

Though hailed as an aesthetic triumph at the time, the High Relief Double Eagle was quickly deemed impractical for circulating coinage due to problems stacking the coins as well as the multiple strikes needed to produce them. After minting just 12,367 pieces (inclusive of both Wire Rim and Flat Rim varieties) the relief was lowered and the date modified to Arabic numerals. Some 361,667 of this latter type were then minted in 1907. These fabulous numismatic masterpieces have been extremely popular with collectors from their very inception but with the release of the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle last year, interest in this issue has soared to new heights.

The Wire Rim example offered here is extremely choice and possesses the eye appeal of a significantly higher grade specimen. With ultra fresh, silky original surfaces and the hammered strike one would expect for the issue, the eye appeal is nothing short of spectacular. Save for a single hit on Libertys hip this piece is pristine and virtually untouched. The opportunity to own one of these amazing coins is certainly a privilege for the elite numismatist and to locate a specimen this premium for the grade is exceptional fortune. The consummate American coin, this spectacular piece is destined be the focal point of an outstanding numismatic portfolio.