Flying through snail mail are 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin brochures from the US Mint to collectors. The mailer is complete with coin images, design details, coin strike accounts and a historical background touching the 1907 $20 gold piece — the master template for the digitally reproduced and minted 2009 Double Eagle coin.

Without a doubt, the Mint wants these one-year-only gold coins to have an unparalleled impact with collectors. The 4-1/4" by 7" brochure unfolds to ten full panels (five front and back) and is dedicated to describing only the gold piece, making it one of the most comprehensive single product mailers the Mint has ever sent.

The Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ designed 1907 $20 Double Eagle has often been described as "the most beautiful coin ever minted." The 21st century version goes on sale Thursday, January 22, at 12:00 noon (ET).(See Mint Ultra High Relief images.)

Although no mintage limits have been placed on the new coins, the Mint’s brochure was careful to highlight that they would be "produced subject to the gold blank availability throughout the worldwide market."

2008 collectors are all too familiar with the sudden inability to purchase silver, gold or platinum coins brought about by volatile bullion movements and high demand. Those not so found memories will likely stir everyone who want the coins to buy early.

Coin specifications and price
The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin weighs 1.001 Troy ounces (31.109g) and is struck from 24-karat, .9999 fine gold. Its condition is listed as "Business Strike" with a 27-millimeter diameter and 4-millimeter thickness. The piedfort style design makes them
more than 50 percent thicker than other United States Mint one-ounce 24-karat gold coins.

A price has not yet been officially announced. The Mint’s new pricing policy can result in numismatic gold and platinum coin prices changing every Thursday, as sales values are primarily based on a weekly review of London Fix averages. Unless there is a huge upswing in gold by Wednesday morning, Mint coin pricing tables indicate the initial double eagle price tag should be $1,189.00, plus shipping and handing.

At noon (ET) on Thursday, the coins will be available through the Mint’s online website or via their toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Extras with the 2009 $20 Double Eagle gold price

In addition to describing the 2009 $20 gold piece, the Mint’s brochure has two pages discussing the packaging and an included companion book for each coin.

The Mint appears to have spared no expense in either the booklet or the packaging, and whether collectors like it or not, those extras raise the overall purchase price of the $20 Double Eagle.

On the flip side, most buyers from any world mint expect to receive more than a coin in a plastic holder for their money — even for $30 purchases, let alone something that is valued at more than $1,100.

The packaging consists of a mahogany wooden box finished in high-gloss lacquer, a velvet lining and a wood platform where the coin rests for easy viewing.

The "high-quality hard-bound" companion book chronicles the 1907 Double Eagle story through to the minting of the modern $20 gold piece.

For more information directly from the US Mint, follow its 2009 Ultra High Relief Coin page.