united-states-1907-item-7
DenominationTwenty Dollars ($20)
Country / EmpireUnited States
Obverse DesignFull-length figure of Liberty striding forward, holding a torch and an olive branch, with the U.S. Capitol building in the background. 46 stars encircle the design. Date 'MCMVII' (1907) in Roman numerals.
Reverse DesignA majestic eagle flying above a rising sun, with 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'TWENTY DOLLARS' inscribed.
Historical Context
This coin is the original 'Ultra High Relief' version of the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt as part of his initiative to beautify American coinage. The extreme relief, while artistically stunning, proved impractical for mass production, requiring immense pressure and multiple strikes, leading to the characteristic 'wire edge'. The use of Roman numerals (MCMVII) for the date was also a feature of this initial design. Due to production difficulties, the design was quickly modified to a lower relief and the date changed to Arabic numerals, making the Ultra High Relief version one of the rarest and most sought-after U.S. coins.
