2009 (MMIX) Ultra High Relief Double Eagle MS-69 PL NGC

Coin Highlights:

• Contains 1 oz of .9999 fine Gold.
• Struck on a 4 mm thick planchet in Ultra High Relief.
• NGC encapsulation protects and guarantees the near perfect 69 condition of the coin. Labels and core colors of our choice.
• Worldwide mintage of 114,427 coins.
• Obverse: Shows Lady Liberty striding in front of the sun's rays with a fiery torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left.
• Reverse: Features a majestic bald eagle in flight with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TWENTY DOLLARS" above and "IN GOD WE TRUST" below.
• Guaranteed by the U.S. Mint.

Protect your Ultra High Relief Double Eagle coin by adding a pack of these cotton gloves or dehumidifier crystals to your order.

Technological advances enabled the U.S. Mint to realize the previously unattainable goal of making the coin accessible to all Americans. Enhance your collection by adding this 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle coin to your cart today!

Modern Technology
Through 21st century technology and the vision of Director Ed Moy, original Saint-Gaudens coin plasters were digitally mapped by the United States Mint. Using the digital design and die-making process, the Saint-Gaudens sculpture—in ultra high relief—has been updated to reflect the year 2009, an additional four stars to represent the current 50 states, and the inscription “In God We Trust,” which was not on the 1907 version.

Additionally, a small border was added for a more consistent edge. The 2009 coin will be made of 24-karat gold. Pure 24-karat gold is much more malleable than 22-karat or 90% gold coins, making it better material for striking the ultra high relief.

The History
The original design itself was first shown to President Theodore Roosevelt in December 1906. At the time, Roosevelt ordered the mint to produce experimental examples exactly following the artist’s models. Mint engraver Charles Barber took his job seriously, and although he and Saint-Gaudens despised one another personally, Barber had considerable respect for the sculptor’s artistic talent and reputation. To a remarkable extent, this was accomplished by Barber during the first week of January 1907, with considerable assistance from Henri Weil. The two not only prepared hubs for a normal 32-millimeter diameter Double Eagle, but another set for the 27-millimeter specimen – the size of the current $10 Gold Eagle.

Experimental pieces in both diameters were intended to determine how many blows it took to fully express Saint-Gaudens’ high relief design. Everyone, including Saint-Gaudens, knew that a coin with such high relief could not be struck with one blow from a normal press, but no one knew how many it would take. Barber hoped that the small-diameter pieces would allow more of the force from the press to concentrate and result in fully struck coins with fewer blows. During the second week of February, small-diameter pieces were struck, although we do not know how many blows it took. Each coin was 27 millimeters in diameter but contained the same Gold as a $20 coin. The result was a small, very thick coin with a decided “lump-like” feel.

As was common, mint Director George Roberts took a couple of specimens of normal and small diameter experimental pieces back to Washington. He gave one pair to mint Auditor (and former Director) Robert Preston, and kept one pair for himself after showing the pieces to the president. About a year later, new mint Director Frank Leach learned about the EHR experimental small-diameter pieces from mint collection curator T. Louis Comparette. The curator, who had no expertise in experimental coinage or law, convinced Leach that the small-diameter $20 pieces were illegal. This information led Leach to demand the return and destruction of all fifteen pieces. The last one to be returned was reluctantly surrendered by Charles Barber! (Barber had eight EHR Double Eagles in his personal collection when he died.) With all 15 accounted for, Leach permitted two examples to be kept for the mint collection; the rest were melted.