MCMVII (1907) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. High Relief. Specimen-63 (PCGS). CMQ.

A gorgeous coin, and one of the most significant examples of this perennially popular type that we have ever had the privilege of bringing to auction. Expertly produced, both sides offer full striking detail that is remarkably crisp even in an example of this normally well-produced issue. The inner borders on both sides are sharp, and all pillars in the Capitol and the berries on the olive branch are distinct. Close inspection with a loupe reveals myriad swirling die polish lines in the fields on both sides. These striking characteristics are among those Walter Breen proposes as diagnostics to distinguish special strikings of this issue (including those certified as Proofs by NGC) in his 1988 Encyclopedia. Warm medium gold color blankets both sides, the in hand appearance fresh, original and far smoother than one might expect at the assigned grade level. Premium quality in all regards, this is certainly a specially produced, and also well preserved, example of this classic 20th century gold issue. The High Relief Saint-Gaudens double eagle is one of those coins that appear on most numismatist's wish lists even if 20th century American gold is not a chosen field of study. The image of Liberty striding towards the viewer holding a torch and olive branch is one of the most familiar coin motifs and is recognizable by even those with the most casual interest in coins. The MCMVII High Relief double eagle has long been celebrated as one of the most beautiful coin designs in all of American numismatics. The story of its creation and the partnership between president and sculptor adds to the appeal of the novel design. In 1905, President Teddy Roosevelt, arguably the president who took the most active and personal interest in our coinage designs, was sadly disappointed with the mediocre appearance of America's coinage designs of the era. The president had only recently taken an interest in ancient Greek coins, having just seen some on display, and he vocally lamented the fact that the coinage of his "bully pulpit" era was mainly plain and uninspired in comparison to those ancient works of numismatic art. Accordingly, Roosevelt contracted with his long time acquaintance, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, paying the sum of $5,000 to him to redesign the entire U.S. coinage spectrum, from the small bronze cent all the way up to the large gold double eagle. Saint-Gaudens, America's most admired sculptor, kept his studio and family home in Cornish, New Hampshire, where he prepared the many sketches and working models for his ideas. By the summer of 1907, Saint-Gaudens had nearly completed the work on the Indian $10 design as well as the new $20 design (which was based on his statue of Victory, part of the Sherman Victory Monument which stands proudly today in New York City's Central Park). On August 3, 1907, Saint-Gaudens succumbed to cancer without having seen an example of his work in its legal tender form; his stunning design was finished by his assistant, Henry Hering. Meanwhile, a great "war" of words and bombast (Roosevelt called it his "pet crime") had broken out between the Mint and Charles Barber on one side, and the "Ol' Rough Rider," President Roosevelt, on the other. Barber was gravely upset that Roosevelt had unkind words for his dime, quarter, and half dollar designs (which had circulated as current coin of the realm since 1892), and he was also incensed over the fact that an outside artist had been chosen to redesign our country's coinage. Further, Barber protested that the high relief of the dies would prevent the coins from striking, stacking at banks, and on and on, causing Roosevelt to state that the MCMVII $20 coins would be produced if it took all day to strike just one coin! Despite Barber's shenanigans, the MCMVII High Relief double eagles were eventually produced to the tune of several hundred pieces a day, though not without difficulties - each coin needed three blows from the dies to be rendered to its full design advantage. In time, however, some 12,367 High Relief MCMVII double eagles were produced to the president's satisfaction. Barber then redesigned the dies, making them flatter in depth and considerably less dynamic in appearance, and swapping the Roman numerals for Arabic. This style would continue through the demise of the series in 1933. When the High Relief coins were released through the sub-treasuries and large banking institutions, the coins were eagerly acquired and received almost universal acclaim. Very few entered circulation but rather were retained as pieces of numismatic art and very quickly premiums were attached to the coins. Extremely proud of the coin whose creation he played such a prominent role in, President Roosevelt used many High Relief double eagles as presentation pieces, including those gifted to the captains of the battleships in the Great White Fleet that circumnavigated the globe from December 1907 to February 1909. The offered coin is also one of those originally gifted by President Roosevelt, in this case to politician James "Tama Jim" Wilson. Elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1867, Wilson made his debut on the national stage when he represented Iowa's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1883 to 1885. On March 6, 1897, he became the fourth United States Secretary of Agriculture, a position he was appointed to by President William McKinley. Wilson would hold this post without interruption until March 3, 1913, serving three different presidents - McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft - and becoming the longest-serving United States cabinet member. Carefully preserved as part of Wilson's estate since his death in 1920, Stack's Bowers Galleries is proud to present this important High Relief double eagle in its first ever auction appearance.

PCGS# 908549. NGC ID: 28HM.

PCGS Population: 1; 4 finer (Specimen-68 finest in this category).

From the Estate of James Wilson, 4th United States Secretary of Agriculture, 1897-1913.

Estimate: $30000