Numismatic

2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle MS-69 PCGS (Gold Foil)

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In 2009, the United States Mint realized a century-old numismatic dream by producing the Ultra High Relief Double Eagle. This remarkable gold coin draws its inspiration from experimental trials conducted in 1907. Unlike standard coinage, this modern release was struck on a planchet measuring 4 millimeters in thickness, effectively doubling the usual depth of a one-ounce gold piece. This extra thickness allowed the metal to flow into the deep recesses of the dies, capturing an extraordinary level of sculptural detail. The obverse features a dynamic depiction of Lady Liberty walking forward, illuminated by the rays of a rising sun. She holds a torch to light her path alongside an olive branch. The Roman numerals MMIX represent the year 2009. On the reverse, a bald eagle glides through the air above a brilliant sun. The inscriptions on this side include the issuing nation, the twenty-dollar denomination, and the traditional motto, In God We Trust. This design traces its origins to December 1906, when sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and mint engraver Charles Barber collaborated to present the concept to President Theodore Roosevelt. The initial experimental versions were struck in a smaller 27-millimeter format to test how many blows of the coining press were required to fully bring up the extreme relief. Today, this certified Mint State 69 specimen, struck at the West Point Mint from one troy ounce of 99.99 percent pure gold, stands as a testament to that historic artistic collaboration.