I'm actually not sure how these are being distributed. I ran across them on the bay (search for 'gaudens 2016') and Google indicates ModernCoinMart offers them.
Originally posted by: John Mercanti It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design
The gold version rendered below retails for $3,995.
Great thread...interesting to note that the coins designed by St. Gaudens students are typically the most artistic and treasured coins. Sadly, art has virtually disappeared from American circulating coinage... now filled with (mostly) crass commercialism....even the National Parks coins are merely serving as an advertisement for the park.
Thanks for resurrecting this thread...Cheers, RickO
The Saint Gaudens archive is at the Dartmouth College Library. Believe or not, some of these sketches were done on paper napkins. The cent designs were to be in a dished relief. The one Winged Victory plaster model was done like a quick sketch. When I was there in 1981, I was able to see the actual sketches and some plaster models. I photographed them all, but all have been long misplaced.
It was an impressive trip to hit both Dartmouth and the St. Gaudens HNS. All nice to see informative posts. Mike
I have thought about doing a true high-relief over-strike version of the Winged design.
The various examples already produced are not that great, in my opinion. None are actually high relief. All have the arm holding an olive branch on the right side of the coin, rather than the original St Gaudens sketch which had a shield instead.
The details on the National Parks Foundation issues pictured earlier in this thread appear to be considerably off.
... the image (in center, below) WAS INDEED Saint Gaudens original Winged Liberty plaster sketch and I did find a reference on the web saying that was "lost" for many years -- and it was discovered when SG's home and studio was turned into a national monument site. I have no idea if that is true or not, but I will say that I had never seen the sketch before -- so it's certainly not very well publicized.
I think the original packaging for the US Mint's 2009 Ultra-High-Relief gold includes a picture of that sketch. Is that correct ?
Originally posted by: John Mercanti It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design
Not so much. I think ASG would have done it in high relief.
The modern approximation used on the National Parks Foundation (not to be confused with the National Park Service) medal is no more cool or better executed than many third-rate silver rounds. Did the US Mint make these, or did John Mercanti get paid to lend legitimacy to these pieces?
Originally posted by: messydesk National Parks Foundation (not to be confused with the National Park Service)
To clear up the relationship between these organizations, here's some info on the Congressionally chartered relationship between the two, including links from the House of Representatives and National Park Service.
United States Public Law 90-209, 90th Congress, S. 814, December 18, 1967
Originally posted by: United States Senate and House of Representatatives To establish the National Park Foundation
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in order to encourage private gifts of real and personal property or any income therefrom or other interest therein for the benefit of, or in connection with, the National Park Service, its activities, or its services, and thereby to further the conservation of natural, scenic, historic, scientific, educational, inspirational, or recreational resources for future generations of Americans, there is hereby established a charitable and nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Park Foundation to accept and administer such gifts.
Originally posted by: National Park Service The National Parks Foundation and the National Park Trust (part of the National Parks and Conservation Association) can also serve as a negotiator and money manager on behalf of your park.
Originally posted by: National Park Service In 1967 Congress established the National Park Foundation (NPF) to provide an official, nonprofit partner empowered to obtain private sector support (money and other assets) for the National Park Service. This action created a direct support link between the public and the parks. The Foundation actively seeks money from individuals, foundations and corporations, and distributes it to the parks, often through a competitive grant process.
Originally published by: National Park Foundation Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation is founded on a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens from all walks of life took action to establish and protect our national parks. Today, the National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable nonprofit whose sole mission is to directly support the National Park Service.
Originally posted by: messydesk Did the US Mint make these, or did John Mercanti get paid to lend legitimacy to these pieces?
Originally posted by: renman95
Originally posted by: John Mercanti It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design
Not so much. I think ASG would have done it in high relief.
Hand sculpting of new dies was performed by John Mercanti, noted as "Retired United States Mint Chief Engraver". While John may have been selected partially because he was a former Chief Engraver, it is still his work as a sculptor and engraver.
Originally posted by: Coin World A 1905 plaster sculptured by Saint-Gaudens was used to create the medals. To adapt the design for modern high relief minting, Mercanti hand sculptured new dies based on Saint-Gaudens’ original vision for his masterpiece.
“It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design,” Mercanti said, in a press release.
Regarding striking and relief, The Royal Mint is mentioned as using "highest relief possible at the Royal Mint" possible for this piece. I wonder if the limitation on relief was a limitation by The Royal Mint or Mercanti.
Originally posted by: Coin World The Royal Mint in Wales struck the medals for GovMint.com, employing its most up-to-date laser technology to strike pieces with the highest relief possible at the Royal Mint.
With the involvement of John Mercanti, The Royal Mint, the National Park Foundation and National Park Service (to provide the 1905 plaster), it seems like this piece could have turned out very well. Somehow, the end result doesn't seem as artistic as Saint-Gaudens would have done it himself from the photos and the videos.
Regarding striking and relief, The Royal Mint is mentioned as using "highest relief possible at the Royal Mint" possible for this piece. I wonder if the limitation on relief was a limitation by The Royal Mint or Mercanti.
For 4 grand a pop, if the Royal Mint was technology-limited (I doubt it), Mercanti should have found another capable mint.
Originally posted by: Zoins Regarding striking and relief, The Royal Mint is mentioned as using "highest relief possible at the Royal Mint" possible for this piece. I wonder if the limitation on relief was a limitation by The Royal Mint or Mercanti.
For 4 grand a pop, if the Royal Mint was technology-limited (I doubt it), Mercanti should have found another capable mint.
Does anyone here know Mercanti? Could be worth asking him about this piece.
Comments
Latin American Collection
Commissioned By: GovMint.com, a brand of Asset Marketing Services
Authorizations: Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site and National Park Foundation
Engraver: John Mercanti
Mint: The Royal Mint (UK)
Mintage limit for silver proofs: 10,000
Mintage limit for gold proofs: 1,000
Here's a video from MCM.
Here's what John said:
It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design
The gold version rendered below retails for $3,995.
Latin American Collection
Not $4k cool, but cool.
If you don't need a PF 70, you can get a A NGC GEM PROOF for $129
Thanks for resurrecting this thread...Cheers, RickO
The Saint Gaudens archive is at the Dartmouth College Library.
Believe or not, some of these sketches were done on paper napkins.
The cent designs were to be in a dished relief.
The one Winged Victory plaster model was done like a quick sketch.
When I was there in 1981, I was able to see the actual sketches and some plaster models.
I photographed them all, but all have been long misplaced.
It was an impressive trip to hit both Dartmouth and the St. Gaudens HNS.
All nice to see informative posts.
Mike
The various examples already produced are not that great, in my opinion.
None are actually high relief. All have the arm holding an olive branch on the right side of the coin, rather than the original St Gaudens sketch which had a shield instead.
The details on the National Parks Foundation issues pictured earlier in this thread appear to be considerably off.
Latin American Collection
I think the original packaging for the US Mint's 2009 Ultra-High-Relief gold includes a picture of that sketch. Is that correct ?
It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design
Not so much. I think ASG would have done it in high relief.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Please visit my website Millcitynumismatics.com
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
National Parks Foundation (not to be confused with the National Park Service)
To clear up the relationship between these organizations, here's some info on the Congressionally chartered relationship between the two, including links from the House of Representatives and National Park Service.
United States Public Law 90-209, 90th Congress, S. 814, December 18, 1967
- Public Law 90-209 on house.gov
- Public Law 90-209 on nationalparks.org
To establish the National Park Foundation
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in order to encourage private gifts of real and personal property or any income therefrom or other interest therein for the benefit of, or in connection with, the National Park Service, its activities, or its services, and thereby to further the conservation of natural, scenic, historic, scientific, educational, inspirational, or recreational resources for future generations of Americans, there is hereby established a charitable and nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Park Foundation to accept and administer such gifts.
National Park Service Planned Giving Page: https://www.nps.gov/partnershi...ned_giving_options.htm
The National Parks Foundation and the National Park Trust (part of the National Parks and Conservation Association) can also serve as a negotiator and money manager on behalf of your park.
National Park Service Research Grants Page for Grand Canyon: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn...re/research_grants.htm
In 1967 Congress established the National Park Foundation (NPF) to provide an official, nonprofit partner empowered to obtain private sector support (money and other assets) for the National Park Service. This action created a direct support link between the public and the parks. The Foundation actively seeks money from individuals, foundations and corporations, and distributes it to the parks, often through a competitive grant process.
National Park Foundation About page: http://www.nationalparks.org/about-us
Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation is founded on a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens from all walks of life took action to establish and protect our national parks. Today, the National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable nonprofit whose sole mission is to directly support the National Park Service.
Did the US Mint make these, or did John Mercanti get paid to lend legitimacy to these pieces?
It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design
Not so much. I think ASG would have done it in high relief.
From Jeff Starck's Coin World article, these were struck by The Royal Mint of the UK using dies made by John Mercanti - http://www.coinworld.com/news/...20-dollar-designs.html.
Hand sculpting of new dies was performed by John Mercanti, noted as "Retired United States Mint Chief Engraver". While John may have been selected partially because he was a former Chief Engraver, it is still his work as a sculptor and engraver.
A 1905 plaster sculptured by Saint-Gaudens was used to create the medals. To adapt the design for modern high relief minting, Mercanti hand sculptured new dies based on Saint-Gaudens’ original vision for his masterpiece.
“It is an honor to have been asked to replicate this magnificent Saint-Gaudens piece, and I hope I’ve captured the genius of his design,” Mercanti said, in a press release.
Regarding striking and relief, The Royal Mint is mentioned as using "highest relief possible at the Royal Mint" possible for this piece. I wonder if the limitation on relief was a limitation by The Royal Mint or Mercanti.
The Royal Mint in Wales struck the medals for GovMint.com, employing its most up-to-date laser technology to strike pieces with the highest relief possible at the Royal Mint.
With the involvement of John Mercanti, The Royal Mint, the National Park Foundation and National Park Service (to provide the 1905 plaster), it seems like this piece could have turned out very well. Somehow, the end result doesn't seem as artistic as Saint-Gaudens would have done it himself from the photos and the videos.
Regarding striking and relief, The Royal Mint is mentioned as using "highest relief possible at the Royal Mint" possible for this piece. I wonder if the limitation on relief was a limitation by The Royal Mint or Mercanti.
For 4 grand a pop, if the Royal Mint was technology-limited (I doubt it), Mercanti should have found another capable mint.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
Regarding striking and relief, The Royal Mint is mentioned as using "highest relief possible at the Royal Mint" possible for this piece. I wonder if the limitation on relief was a limitation by The Royal Mint or Mercanti.
For 4 grand a pop, if the Royal Mint was technology-limited (I doubt it), Mercanti should have found another capable mint.
Does anyone here know Mercanti? Could be worth asking him about this piece.