2077: 1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS68 NGC. CAC. Start Price USD 240,000.00 Current Price USD 295,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 4 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, July 31, 2008 End Time Friday, August 01, 2008 Location Baltimore, MD See more about '2077: 1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS68 NGC. CAC.' Description click for larger image2077: 1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS68 NGC. CAC. 1907 $20 High Relief, Flat Rim MS68 NGC. CAC. The great drama that unfolded between 1905 and 1908, centered around the redesign of our nation's gold coinage, has been well documented. The list of players is almost certain to be longer than we know, but some of the most important names on that list are those of Theodore Roosevelt, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Charles Barber, and Philadelphia Mint Director Frank Leach. After an agonizing process that involved great tension between several of the aforementioned principals (especially Roosevelt and Saint-Gaudens versus Mint Engraver Barber), the new double eagle design was ready to be produced in 1907. The initial, so-called Ultra High Relief version of Saint-Gaudens' double eagle proved technically impractical, and the next phase of the design to be struck has since been designated as the High Relief type. This transitional type exists in two variations: referred to in recent decades by numismatists as, respectively, the Wire Rim and the Flat Rim. Apparently, the so-called High Relief Wire Rim version of Saint-Gaudens' design (referred to by some contemporary observers as a "fin" rim) was not regarded with high esteem by those individuals who were most immediately involved in its production. Writing in the Renaissance of American Coinage (2006), Roger Burdette includes the following comments: "Mint headquarters in Washington received a number of complaints about the new coins. Many of these were apparently concerned with the workmanship of production rather than design. Director Leach forwarded a copy of one letter to Philadelphia '...simply [to] let you see a sample of the most recent criticism of the new coinage, and to impress upon your people the fact I shall expect there will be no cause for such or even milder complaints.' The letter was from F.H. Watriss from the law firm of Bartlett, Frazier, and Carrington in New York: 'Gentlemen: As an American citizen I take some pride in seeing our Government do its best in everything it undertakes. I have just seen the new $10 and $20 dollar gold coins and although the design may be open to discussion the workmanship cannot be; the latter would be a disgrace to any mechanic. Both issues should be called in. Why the Department should permit such work is beyond comprehension. Very Respectfully Yours' The workmanship complaints seem to have concentrated on the fin rim common to these coins, as well as the worn look of the $10 piece. After receiving the letter from Watriss, Leach wired the mint with instructions '...condemning all pieces with 'fin' edge be sure no more such coins get out.'" The letter from Watriss was dated December 6, 1907. Burdette observes that by December 20 the fin (or Wire Rim) problem seems to have been solved, quoting from a letter of that same date from Director Leach to Barber: "I am more than delighted with the results you have obtained in preventing the 'fin'. I know the President will be pleased too. I have an appointment to see him Monday A.M." Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth (2006), note that the Flat Rim double eagles, like this piece, are much scarcer than their Wire Rim counterparts, by a margin of nearly five to one. This estimate actually seems conservative when considering the combined population data from NGC and PCGS, where 3,887 Wire Rim coins have been graded, versus only 502 of the Flat Rims. The Superb quality of this example is virtually unequalled in our experience. The exquisite green-gold coloration is imbued with lovely, subtle reddish undertones. The design elements are fully struck, and the highly lustrous surfaces are essentially pristine; and free of the alloy spots that so frequently appear on Saint-Gaudens twenty dollar pieces. No flaws are obvious to the unaided eye, and this beautiful coin may be as close to perfection as any survivor from the original mintage (both Wire Rims and Flat Rims) of 12,367 High Relief double eagles. This is one of just three Flat Rim pieces that are certified as MS68 by NGC, with none graded any higher; and PCGS has certified only a single Flat Rim representative as MS68, with none finer, as of (6/08). A technical and visual masterpiece, this great Superb Gem will generate tremendous excitement when it crosses the auction block, and only a premium bid will guarantee ownership.From The Pierson MacDonald Grieve Collection.Coin Engraver: Augustus Saint-GaudensShipping: Coins & Currency (view shipping information)Important notice: Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. 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