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LOT #2333 |

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1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim--Reverse Rim Filed--NGC. Unc Details....

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Satiny 1907 Flat Rim High Relief, Unc Details

1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim--Reverse Rim Filed--NGC. Unc Details. The ten and twenty dollar gold pieces by Augustus Saint-Gaudens mirror the vivacity and energy that is characteristic of the other works by the artist. The 1907 High Relief double eagles, however, highlight the traits that propelled Saint-Gaudens to the forefront of the American art community. An article by Homer Saint-Gaudens in the June 1927 issue of The Mentor reveals a great deal about the qualities that made his father one of the greatest American artists and are readily apparent in all of his works. He reminisces,

"William Dean Howells once wrote that Saint-Gaudens reminded the author of a weary lion. There was a no more apt simile to describe him during those final days. He believed his task in art was to arouse in others emotional enthusiasm and enjoyment through what he presented to their eyes. So never throughout his life did he relax his efforts to keep active, to keep human, to believe in the joy of high vision clearly expressed ... To the very end there stayed with him the urge to explore endlessly new regions of delight, were they physical or spiritual."

Even as he was suffering from debilitating pains brought on by intestinal cancer, Saint-Gaudens continued his work with the ten and twenty dollar coins. His designs were simple, yet seemingly full of life, and the 1907 High Reliefs are an excellent example of Saint-Gaudens' artistic philosophy. The "weary lion" may have been close to death, but he gave his designs a sense of liveliness rarely seen on coins. That liveliness is certainly apparent on this piece. The surfaces are bright with the usual satiny mint luster and just a tinge of reddish patina. We see no mentionable contact marks on either side, and there is only slight evidence of rim filing on the reverse. This coin presents the collector with an exceptional opportunity to acquire this magnificent design at a reduced price.(Registry values: N4719)

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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