Prior and during the production of the High Relief double eagles at the Philadelphia Mint a number of so-called trail pieces, or patterns, were struck. The most famous of this group, without doubt, is the Ultra High Relief. A famous rarity and considered by many to be the most beautiful coin ever produced in the United States, it was the direct predecessor to the High Reliefs that were struck for circulation later that same year, 1907. However, the Ultra High Relief is not the only experimental piece that led to the final result, although it did play the most important part in its creation.

It must be noted that most High Relief patterns and related pieces are unique, or close to unique and that auction appearances are very rare to virtually non-existent. Further to that, some of these are permanently impounded in the Smithsonian Institution, while others are available to collectors but have not traded at public auction during the last decades. Check back soon for more information on the Ultra High Relief minted before the regular High Reliefs, and several die trails and related pieces.