The U.S. Mint's Ultra-High Relief Coins Virtual Tour
The U.S. Mint is producing a very special coin for one year in 2009, the Ultra-High Relief Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle. 
To help educate coin collectors about the importance of this coin and why it is being produced, the Mint set up a special four-booth exhibit for the ANA World's Fair of Money in Baltimore this past summer. Although thousands of collectors got see this fascinating exhibit in person, most collectors weren't able to make it to Baltimore that week, so the U.S. Mint has come up with a very nifty solution - an online virtual tour of the 2009 Saint-Gaudens Gold Coins exhibit! The virtual tour has interactive, high-quality images, so you can click around and enlarge the photos for better detail. You will need the "Flash" browser plug-in to see the exhibit, but most computers already have this free bit of software in their systems. If not, you may be prompted to download it, which only takes about 10 seconds. The first link below will take you to a landing page that describes the 2009 Ultra-High Relief Saint-Gaudens coin a little bit. To begin the interactive exhibit, just click the link near the bottom that says, "Online Exhibit." If you just want to skip the verbiage and go straight to the show, my second link takes you right there. Enjoy!
- The U.S. Mint's Ultra-High Relief Gold Coin Information Page
- Direct Link to the Ultra-High Relief Online Exhibit
- The History of the Original Ultra-High Relief Coins
What do you think about the Mint's plans to issue these solid gold Ultra-High Relief Double Eagles next year? Don't we already have too many special coins coming out next year as it is? With the price of gold skyrocketing, won't the coins be too expensive anyway for most people to afford? Or is this the best idea and timing the Mint has ever had in recent years? Share your thoughts in the "comments" section below.
Photo courtesy of the United States Mint.
Comments
I like the idea of minting the Ultra-High Relief Double Eagle. I just hope that I can afford one. A coin such as this would be reminiscent of the past while being unique by today’s standards. I consider the St. Gaudens Double Eagle along with the modern American Eagles (both gold and silver) to be the most beautiful coins ever minted. Could this be the crown jewel given that we now have the technology and machine strength to make them?
While I am an over-all fan of the U.S. Mint I am also disheartened by their over-zealousness when it comes to finding new ways to package the same old coins – forcing those who try to collect certain sets or types to buy more coins. Over-doing it damaged the stamp collecting hobby and it’s going to do the same to coin collecting.
I respect your wisdom Susan, but I’m betting against you on one thing. In a previous article you knocked the Bald Eagle 3 coin commemorative set. I picked up not one but two of them. With bald eagles there is generally both sentiment and respect. Not only are they a symbol of our nation they are also a symbol of the splendor of nature. They’re doing well in the secondary market but even if that turns, it’s OK… I still have a coin set that I can appreciate… and I like the packaging.
I like the Bald Eagles and the idea of bringing back the Saints. When the Mint gets around to marketing a coin to commemorate Ground-Hog Day and maybe another one to honor indoor plumbing (what the heck, they’ve done everything else). I’ll skip those. Although a coin might look good with that little wooden building with a quarter moon above the door.
make 1 oz and 1/2 oz and 1/10 oz so it can be affordable to most people.
I have to agree that they would be very nice to have one, just really concerned about the price tag for the coin. It would be nice if they could be made where most of could affourd to have one.
While I do enjoy the St. Gaudens Double Eagle, I know I will never be able to afford one of the new Eagles so here is my idea: mint a golden dollar version so the general public could enjoy it. The mint could go ahead and sell the way overpriced bullion coins to the rich and at the same time offer a gold plated silver eagle with a new obverse of St.Gaudens liberty.
It’s a great idea. But the timing is off.
With all the coins going into the melting pot. What is the fate if this coin when it hits the market?
coiny
Sounds interesting, but will the ultra-high price bring relief to us collectors.
I like what Moy wants to do, even though I couldn’t afford it. How about an Ultra High Relief Silver Eagle. That’s affordable and for me, desireable.
I wish to add to my coin collection. I want to purchase Ultra-High Relief St. Gaudens Double Eagle 24 karat Gold Coin next year. So please tell me what coin dealers sell this coin next year?
They can put out a lower denomination silver version as well, so everyone can afford to have one. Have the design plated in 24k gold so it’ll stand out from the mirrored silver background.
You know … After giving this some thought.
Director Moy might just be able to pull this one off.
If he stays away from 24 karat gold.
I don’t know what other base metals he could use. Even if the coins were 75% gold content, it might work.
I wonder how people would feel about that.
Any ideas????
coiny
I think I have one of these coins that was printed before 1907. it has the roman numerals and no in god we trust. any idea what the value would be today?
I have been reading about the St. Gaudens Double Eagle in the Numismatist news and I’m already starting to save for one. I have been wondering though why the gold coins the mint offers have been going for around 25% above gold prices, seems like a lot of profit. If they could get it back to 10% - 12% profit maybe more could afford it. Is there any alert the mint may offer letting us know when we can order one of these?
The most beautiful coin ever minted. Those who object to the price should remember that compared to the prices the original gets, the new one will be a bargain. (In fact, genuine ultra-high reliefs are priceless.) Now, let’s see how well it’s executed. If it’s identical to the originals, I’ll be thrilled and quite willing to pay. It’s the ultimate coin. And for goodness sake, whhat’s wrong with 24kt? It’s not like you’re gonna be tossing and rubbing them. Save up and stop carping about price. You get what you pay for!
To hell with the cost! I will acquire one because the eagle is a glimmering symbol of a proud America that honors its roots and proclaims “LIBERTY.”
I wish our artesians well.
I welcome the idea of the 24K high relief coin. If you don’t like it or the price, don’t whine, just simply don’t buy it.
I believe it is a wonderful idea,and the cost isn’t really this important when one thinks of the opertunity of being able to own such a beautifull piece of or countrys heritage.Just imagine if your ancesters had had the insight ta aquire one of these coins the first time around.So I really don’t think of the hardship the price may put on me,I think of my grandchildren,or my greatgrandchildren and what this small piece of our countrys history may impose upon them and and what they may think of us for our insight into leaving them something to remember us for.I love this country!!
This is amazing! I was floored when I heard about the Mint striking a Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle in 2009. I have been a coin collector since the 1960’s, and can’t miss a chance to get one of these coins! You say you can’t afford to buy one? If you don’t have enough cash, have you heard about saving your money? We have till next year to stash some money away for this unique coin. You would be surprised how fast your money can add up. Try putting a few dollars away every week. Cut back on your lunch money, booze, cigarettes, movies, games, eating out, or any other money you spend on stuff you don’t really need! How bad do you want to own this coin? Sell stuff on eBay! Thats what I plan to do till I have the money I need to get one of these beautiful works of art! Like they say: Where there’s a will there’s a way! Good luck!
I love the idea, just wish it was .34mm like a true double eagle. To make it .27mm which is the eagle size takes away some of the ability to appreciate the beauty of Augustus St. Gaudens brilliant design.The increased thickness or a larger diameter ? The U. S. Mint could have taken a survey to get a feel for the collectors opinion on this decision. If the Mint made both, which would you buy ?
Hi John L. I like that idea too. I think i’d go for the large coin. But without a side by side comparison. It’s hard to tell which coin actually looks better. Once the decission is made. it’s made. Could be the smaller thicker coin will give the owner a feeling of true wealth, from the heftyness of the coin. I can’t even imagin a quarter inch thick coin. Have to see it, to believe it.
coiny
Where will this coin be sold? Can one buy it through the mint directly?
#20 - don. Yes you can buy them directly from the mint. They have a website. I don’t have their url right here. Easy to find though on the web. You will get them there at the best price. The introductory price. After that, it is any bodys guess what prices they will command. Good luck!
coiny
Hi Sue! In the original report i read, there was to be 13 incused stars along the rim. To fill the spaces between letteing. The 13 stars for the first 13 coloneys. Has that now been changed since?
Thanks!
coiny
The most beautiful coin I have ever seen. Whatever the price, it represents America, and our pride in our country, which is sadly lacking now. I’m saving for mine now and instead of buying a new computer will add that to my savings. Never is gold a bad investment.
I have been wishing and hoping for a long time, that the mint would make this coin. For me it is a dream come true. It will be a Christmas present to myself.
I just hope the Mint limits the number of coins that can be purchased by a single person / shipping address / credit card number, so that individual collectors will have a shot at buying one directly from the mint at their initial price which historically carries a 25% premium to the price of gold, versus paying a 100% premium price to the numismatic equivalent of ticket scalpers once the coins quickly sell out.
I am stunned because the mint will reissue the high relief 1-oz., high relief St. Gaudens gold coin. This is absolutely great!
My question is will the US Mint issue only an uncirulated coin or will the US Mint also issue a proof version of this St. Guadens high relief gold coin?
Without knowing about how this coin will appear, does high relief striking result in a proof or proof like finish?
the mint should make it 22 Carat Gold. That’s why it was so difficult to make it ultra high relief back in 1907. Now in 2009, it is 24 Carat Gold, the metal is soft, too easy.
I would love to own one of these but just can’t afford it.I wish they would have done a half ounce version and then I could have come up with the money.It is such a beautiful piece.
I purchased one of these coins when they were offered in Feb.’09. It took a few delays but I was put on the waiting list. When the mint announced they were making and shipping these coins and I didn’t hear from the mint as to when I could expect shipment, I called them. Even though they had my CC information my order wasn’t released. Customer service released my order AND the price was the same as my initial order in Feb.’09 The price when I called in April,’09 had gone up almost $100. I was excited when my coin arrived about two weeks after the call to CS. They did inform me the History of the coin book would be delayed and I would receive it later. I got the book last week in April. Beautiful coin, But the only complaint(?) would be its size of packaging for a coin collector. Me, the Mahogany and First class enclosure are perfect for display. The coin itself is awesome, if not perfect. And as the book explains the complete history of the Gold Double Eagle, from Gold to prefecting the minting of the coin by the only way this coin could be made without flaws, Computer Numerically Controlled(CNC). As a lover of beauty, this coin is the ultimate.