Numismatic

2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle MS-69 NGC (Gold Label)

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In 2009, the United States Mint realized a century old numismatic dream by producing a stunning ultra high relief gold coin. This modern release traces its origins back to December 1906, when a visionary design was first presented to President Theodore Roosevelt. To bring this artistic vision to life, mint engraver Charles Barber alongside Henri Weil developed special hubs for experimental trial pieces. These early test strikes were produced with a compact 27 millimeter diameter, yet they contained the full gold content of a standard twenty dollar coin. The 2009 edition honors those original 1907 experiments, utilizing a thick four millimeter planchet to allow the metal to flow into the deep recesses of the coining dies. Struck at the West Point Minting facility from one troy ounce of 0.9999 fine gold, the coin features extraordinary depth and detail. The obverse showcases Lady Liberty walking forward, holding a lit torch and an olive branch. The reverse depicts a majestic bald eagle soaring through the sky. Legible inscriptions on this certified Mint State 69 specimen include the Roman numeral date of MMIX, along with the traditional phrases "United States of America", "Twenty Dollars", and "In God We Trust". This issue represents a remarkable marriage of historical design and contemporary minting capability.