The High Relief Saint Gaudens Double Eagles have long been considered America’s most beautiful coin; however, even the low relief coins that Charles Barber modified have had lasting beauty and appeal. The modern Gold American Eagle bullion program uses a modification of the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle low relief design, and it is exceedingly popular with investors as a replacement for the Union of South Africa Krugerrand.

The coinage began in 1907 with the Ultra High Relief pattern coins. These are so rare that they are virtually unavailable today with 15 certified by both major grading services, and this number does not account for resubmissions and crossovers. The High Relief Saint Gaudens Double Eagle coins followed in the same year. With a mintage of 12,367, they are available to collectors and investors today. Some of the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle coins have a “wire rim” and others a “flat rim.” The former is caused by extra metal being squeezed out between the dies and collar causing a rim or flange around most of one or both sides. The coins also have a lettered edge. E PLURIBUS UNUM is on the edge with stars dividing the words.

Low relief Saint Gaudens Double Eagle coins were also issued in 1907. They continued until 1933, when all gold production stopped. The low relief coins had Arabic numerals for the date instead of the Roman numerals seen on the previous two issues. In 1908, despite President Roosevelt’s preferences to the contrary, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse. In 1912 two stars were added to the obverse of the coin to correspond with the new states added to the Union.In addition to regular issues, proof Saint Gaudens Double Eagle coins, while rare, are available to collectors and investors. They were issued, aside from the High Relief pieces, from 1908 to 1915. Proof coins of the time came in several different finishes: matte, sand blast, and satin or Roman finish.

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