America’s Most Beautiful Coin – Too Stunning to Circulate!
Numismatic Royalty Alert! At PennyVerse, we’re showcasing what experts call “the Mona Lisa of U.S. coins” – the legendary 1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle. This $20 gold piece isn’t just money; it’s a sculptural triumph by Augustus Saint-Gaudens that was nearly impossible to mint. Only a handful exist today, with one selling for $3.6 million!
🔎 Spotting This Numismatic Unicorn
(Use the magnified image above as your guide!)
Obverse (Front): Lady Liberty in 3D Glory
- Walking Liberty: Fluid, sculptural pose with dramatic drapery
- Ultra High Relief: Design elements stand 2.5x taller than standard coins
- Key Details:
- Torch and olive branch in hands
- 46 stars for 1907’s states
- Sun rays bursting behind figure
Reverse (Back): Eagle in Flight
- Dramatic Sunburst: Radiating beams create halo effect
- Exceptional Depth: Wings appear ready to lift off the coin
- Edge Lettering: “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in raised text
💡 Fun Fact: Each coin required 9-11 strikes from minting presses (normal coins need just one)!
💰 Why It’s Worth $3.6 Million
The Perfect Storm of Rarity
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Artistic Merit | Considered America’s most beautiful coin design |
| Production Nightmare | Only ~20 exist – most were melted! |
| Historical Significance | Teddy Roosevelt’s pet project |
| Collector Demand | “Holy Grail” for gold coin collectors |
Auction Proof: A PCGS-certified specimen sold for $3,600,000 in 2021 (Heritage Auctions)
🕵️♂️ 5-Step Authentication Guide
(If you think you’ve found one!)
- Relief Test
- Compare depth to known examples
- Should cast visible shadows when tilted
- Weight Check
- Must be 33.436g (1.075oz) of 90% gold
- Edge Inspection
- Look for specific lettering pattern
- Die Analysis
- Experts check microscopic die markers
- PCGS/NGC Submission
- Only graded specimens gain market trust
🚨 If You Find One…
- DO NOT CLEAN! (Even fingerprints can harm value)
- Use Cotton Gloves when handling
- Store in Climate-Controlled Safe
- Contact Heritage Auctions Immediately
📜 The Dramatic Backstory
President Teddy Roosevelt hated America’s “artistically mediocre” coins. He recruited sculptor Saint-Gaudens to create something magnificent. The result was so spectacular – and so impractical to mint – that the design had to be simplified after just a few test strikes. Most were melted, making survivors priceless.
Think you’ve found this treasure?
📸 Send us macro photos for a free expert assessment!
“Not just a coin – a sculptural revolution in gold!”
– The PennyVerse Team
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