MCMVII Extremely High Relief $20 in ANA Sale
RWB
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An ad by Stack’s in Coin World indicates they will be selling one of the very rare MCMVII Extremely High Relief $20 in their auction associated with ANA convention in Baltimore. Interestingly, this is one of only three examples that use the same edge collar as the Barber/Morgan 1906 pattern double eagle. This edge was created by Charles Barber in late 1906 and used only on the first batch of normal diameter EHR $20 struck in February 1907. (The same arrangement of letters and stars was used on 15 EHR small diameter $20. (Two exist, balance melted.) The motto “E Pluribus Unum” is on the edge with a six-pointed star between each letter The edge is oriented so that lettering is upright when the coin’s obverse faces up.
After seeing a sample (possibly this coin), Saint-Gaudens revised his models and modified the edge. All subsequent $20 had stars spaced between words rather than between individual letters. Also, the preferred orientation was to have the lettering upside down when the coin was obverse up. This seemingly incongruous arrangement, allowed the coin’s obverse to be viewed face-on, then tilted forward slightly to reveal the national motto arching over the figure of Liberty – an elegant arrangement.
Two examples were carried around as pocket pieces by Dir. George Roberts and former Dir. Robert Preston.
(More information can be found in Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908.)
(PS: No, I have not seen the Stack's lot description.)
After seeing a sample (possibly this coin), Saint-Gaudens revised his models and modified the edge. All subsequent $20 had stars spaced between words rather than between individual letters. Also, the preferred orientation was to have the lettering upside down when the coin was obverse up. This seemingly incongruous arrangement, allowed the coin’s obverse to be viewed face-on, then tilted forward slightly to reveal the national motto arching over the figure of Liberty – an elegant arrangement.
Two examples were carried around as pocket pieces by Dir. George Roberts and former Dir. Robert Preston.
(More information can be found in Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908.)
(PS: No, I have not seen the Stack's lot description.)
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An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
According to mint documents, there shoud be one more of this variety - the example shown to Saint-Gaudens.
<< <i>But...if you pay enough, maybe they'll upgrade the label ! >>
HEY!!! Brainy idea!