1907 $10 Wire Rim MS65+ NGC....

Description

1907 Wire Rim Ten Dollar, MS65+
Exceptionally Well-Preserved

1907 $10 Wire Rim MS65+ NGC. The origin of the Wire Rim ten dollar by Augustus Saint-Gaudens traces its development from the same source as the better known High Relief double eagle. In both cases the heavy lifting had been done years before the coins were called for by President Roosevelt. The figure of Nike on the ten dollar, and similarly the full figure of Liberty on the twenty dollar, traced their origins to the figure of Liberty that leads William T. Sherman in the so-called Sherman Group that stands at the south entrance to Central Park.

This figure of Liberty was easily adapted, with slight alterations, to the striding figure on the twenty dollar. For the ten dollar, the head of Liberty is more obscured; yet, still derived from that same striding figure. It is less obvious on the eagle since Saint-Gaudens crowned the profile of Liberty not with a laurel wreath, but an Indian headdress, a design touch suggested by Roosevelt as emblematic of the concept of Liberty as the often-seen Phrygian Cap.

The Wire Rim tens were produced in late August 1907 -- 500 pieces struck at that time plus another 42 coins later in the year, then 70 unsold pieces were melted, leaving a net mintage of 472 pieces. Shortly after their initial production Superintendent Landis recognized their inherent design weakness. The coins lacked a determinant rim, just a thin wire rim encircles each side. This wire rim, or "fin" as it was known to Mint employees, was not looked upon as a design feature, but rather a production problem to be solved. Chief Engraver Charles Barber was called upon to solve the problem, which he did by adding a determinant rim and lowering the relief. Fortunately, a high percentage of the coins produced were sold to dealers Henry Chapman and Thomas Elder, who in turn quickly sold them to collectors, which explains the existence today of a relatively high number of Gem and near-Gem examples. This is an especially attractive piece. The surfaces exhibit the usual bright yellow-gold mint luster with just a touch of light reddish patina. Contact marks are few; so few, in fact, we have been unable to trace a prior appearance of this piece at auction. The most apparent pedigree identifiers are two short rim cuts at 12 o'clock, one at 6 o'clock, and a pale reddish alloy spot at the back of the eagle's leg. Outstanding quality for this short-lived type coin.
From The Tree Leaf Collection.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 268B, PCGS# 8850, Greysheet# 9744)

Weight: 16.72 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

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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