JULY 19TH AUCTION
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/20/2013
The High Relief $20 gold coin has always been one of the most sought after coins in U.S. Numismatics. This was never more evident than in 2009 when the United States Mint reintroduced the High Relief format, and this same design. The coins sold out at the mint very quickly. This also served to reinvigorate the interest in the 1907 coins with the same design elements. The difference between the two coins is gold content and size. The original coins were struck as .900 fine, while the 2009 version is struck in pure .999 gold. The modern coin is perceptively smaller in diameter than this coin struck during the Teddy Roosevelt administration.
This specimen is fully struck as each coin was struck multiple times to fully bring up even the smallest details. The surfaces are smooth and free of hairlines. The all-important wire rim has just a couple of trivial tics, and frame approximately 70% of the obverse. Present are a couple of light scuffs between rays on the obverse and a few more across the lower part of the word united on the reverse. The coin has probably been dipped. This is noted as light friction at the highest points is the same color as the background surface. This has in no way impaired the luster or the overall beauty of this piece. This survivor from an original minting of 12,000 or so coins fits very well at the AU-58 grade level. A very nice coin especially at this grade and sure not to disappoint the collector who has been craving this elusive specimen.