Many consider the twenty-dollar gold coins designed by
Augustus Saint-Gaudens to be the most beautiful U.S. coin.
The first coins issued were slightly more than 12,000 high-relief
pieces struck for general circulation. The relief is much
higher than for later issues, and the date 1907 is in Roman
numerals (MCMVII). A few of the Proof gold coins were made
using the lettered-edge collar from the ultra high relief
version. These can be distinguished by a pronounced bottom
left serif on the N in UNUM, and other minor differences.
High-relief Proofs are trial or experimental pieces. Flat-relief
double eagle gold coins were issued later in 1907 with Arabic
numerals, and continued through 1933.
The field of the rare, ultra high relief experimental pieces
is excessively concave and connects directly with the edge
without any border, giving it a sharp, knifelike appearance;
Liberty's skirt shows two folds on the side of her right
leg; the Capitol building in the background at left is very
small; the sun, on the reverse side, has 14 rays, as opposed
to the 13 rays on regular high-relief gold coins.
The Proof finish of 1908 and 1911 through 1915 gold coins
was originally referred to as Sand Blast Proof by the Mint.
Proof gold coins minted in 1909 and 1910 have a different
finish described as Satin Proof. In addition, double eagle
gold coins from 1907 through 1911 have 46 stars on the obverse;
and from 1912 through 1933, 48 stars.
Designer Augustus Saint-Gaudens; standards same as
for previous issue; edge: E PLURIBUS UNUM with words divided
by stars (one specimen of the high-relief variety with plain
edge is known}; mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.
