Archive

Posts Tagged ‘saint gaudens’

2009 UHR Double Eagle Gold Coin

October 11th, 2011
Comments Off

The United States Mint had a unique product offering, which recreated Augustus Saint-Gaudens original design for the circulating $20 gold piece. The coin was known as the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin and met with a high degree of popularity with collectors.

The design was faithful to the original, albeit with some small updates. The obverse depicts Liberty in flowing gown with a torch and olive branch in her hands. The rays of the rising sun and the Capitol dome appear in the background. Rather than the original 46 stars, there are 50 stars around the image. Also the date is updated to MMIX or 2009. On the reverse is the depiction of an eagle in flight with the sun below. The motto “In God We Trust” was added between the sun and rays. This did not originally appear.

Specifications for the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle are a diameter of 27 mm and thickness of 4 mm. This makes for a smaller and thicker coin than typical for the one ounce size. Each coin has a composition of 24 karat or .9999 fine gold, which is more malleable than alloyed composition. The net weight is 31.108 grams or 1.0001 troy ounce. Although struck at West Point, the coins did not carry a mint mark.

The coins were of course not issued for circulation at their nominal $20 face value, but sold to collectors for a premium to the market value of the price of gold. This special issue was only available for a single year.

UHRDE

2009 UHR Double Eagle Coin Specifications

Dates: 2009
Mints: West Point
Composition: .9999 gold
Weight: 31.108 grams
Diameter: 27 mm

double eagles

Saint Gaudens Double Eagles

August 22nd, 2011
Comments Off

Widely believed to carry one of the most beautiful designs in the history of United States coinage, the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle was struck from 1907 to 1933. Production would take place variously across three different mint facilities in relatively high numbers. The subsequent recall and melting of all federal gold had a dramatic impact on the rarity and availability of certain issues.

The intrinsic value of each coin is high, with 0.96750 troy ounces of gold content included in each coin. For many examples of the coin, the majority of the price is related to the market value of the gold content. In recent years, this has had the impact of dramatic price increases for coins with minimal numismatic value. This has been driven by record high gold prices.

The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle was designed by the renown sculptor of the same name. The obverse features a dramatic full depiction of the allegorical Liberty figure. She holds a lit torch and an olive branch. The rays of the rising sun and the U.S. Capitol building appear in the background. The reverse of the coin features an eagle in majestic flight. The rays of the sun emanate upwards and fill the fields with splendor. In 1908, the motto “In God We Trust” was added between the sun and its rays.

Composition for the coins is 90% gold and 10% alloy. The standard weight is 33.436 grams with a diameter of 34 mm.

Saint Gaudens Double Eagle

Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Coin Specifications

Dates: 1907-1933
Mints: Philadelphia
Denver
San Francisco
Composition: 90% gold
10% copper
Weight: 33.436 grams
Diameter: 34 mm

double eagles