1907 $10 Wire Rim MS66 NGC....

Description

1907 Wire Rim Indian Eagle, MS66
Splendid Surfaces, Conditionally Rare

1907 $10 Wire Rim MS66 NGC. In the minds of most collectors, it is a shame that Augustus Saint-Gaudens' original, high relief models for the eagle and double eagle of 1907 were not ultimately produced for circulation. Mint Director George E. Roberts once described Saint-Gaudens' designs as "essentially medal work and of a very high order." The unfortunate reality, though, was that the requirements of mass coinage limited the rein of coinage art to what could be struck up with a single die impression, as well as what would uniformly stack. Saint-Gaudens' double eagle models required at least three die impressions to fully render on a coin, making them unusable for mass production. The ten dollar models could be struck more easily, but Saint-Gaudens' high relief Liberty portrait and naturalistic eagle rose above the rim of the coin, rendering them unable to stack. The problem was discovered after the coinage of 542 pieces from the original models. Chief Engraver Charles Barber attempted to resolve the issue by turning a rim into the dies, but in the end, the entire relief of the design was slightly lowered for mass production -- mirroring the unfortunate course of action that was taken with the lowering of Saint-Gaudens' double eagle models.

The 542 coins struck from Saint-Gaudens' original design came to be called Wire Rim pieces, due to the fin-like nature of the virtually nonexistent rim on each side. Most were presented to VIPs, while 70 coins were eventually melted, leaving a net mintage of 472 pieces. Many of these coins survive today, although those achieving the highest grades of preservation are rare.

The present MS66 coin displays bold definition and luminous satin luster. The rich honey-gold surfaces are entirely devoid of abrasions and beautifully showcase Saint-Gaudens' rendering of Liberty and the American bald eagle. There are only a handful of finer pieces known. Census: 19 in 66 (1 in 66+, 1 in 66★ ), 8 finer (3/21).
From The Selman Family Collection. (Registry values: N10218)

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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