1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim PR66 NGC....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Feb 6, 2009 for:

$74,750.00 Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1907 High Relief, Wire Rim Twenty, PR66

1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim PR66 NGC. Produced to the extent of 12,367 coins, the MCMVII High Relief issue was minted in both a Mint State format that required "three to five blows" from the Mint's presses--and the controversial proof format that NGC recognizes and PCGS does not.

Dr. Robert Loewinger's useful but underutilized reference on Proof Gold Coinage of the United States (2003) maintains that an "unknown number of satin Proof coins were made by striking six or seven blows of the press. Also there is a sandblast finish of this type." We have numerous times cited the criteria of the Satin Finish proofs that Walter Breen put forth. However, Loewinger goes a step further, actually listing the "criteria used by NGC to distinguish Proof examples of the High Relief edition of the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle from Business Strikes:

"1) Extreme sharpness in all details, both at the centers and toward the peripheries.
"2) The complete absence of die erosion or distortion.
"3) Numerous, raised die-polishing lines on both sides. These appear in a random, swirling pattern. While also evident on currency strikes, these are particularly bold on Proofs.
"4) Uniformly satiny surfaces, without any of the radial flowlines that produce conventional Mint luster.
"5) A build-up of metal just inside both borders, though especially evident on the reverse. This appears as a slightly raised ridge forming a concentric circle with the coin's border. It probably resulted from the extreme compression to which the Proofs were subjected to by additional strikes."

This piece meets all the criteria set out above. The surfaces glow with bright, satiny mint luster and the striking details are extraordinarily sharp. A fine wire rim encircles each side from the extra blows required from the hydraulic press used to produce these pieces. Simply outstanding presentation and eye appeal.

As we wrote elsewhere in this catalog, the planned Mint release in January 2009 of MMIX-dated Ultra High Relief coins should fan the flames of demand for both the business strike and proof MCMVII original High Reliefs--as well as the original proof Ultra High Reliefs for those who can afford them. This will mark the first time in Mint history that two different type coins from the same series are produced 102 years apart. Census for Wire Rim coins: 12 in 66, 12 finer (12/08).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28HM, PCGS# 908549, GSID# 10199)

View Certification Details from NGC