1906 Pattern Double Eagle - 1906 Pattern $20 NGC PFUCAM. This privately struck, Ultra Cameo proof 1906 Double Eagle is a black and white beauty. The devices seem to float on the deeply mirrored fields. The surfaces are extremely clean with no visible hairlines or other distraction. The strike is excellent with full details on the devices for both sides of the coin. 

In 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign some of Americas coinage. In making the new eagle and double eagle, they bypassed the Mint Engraver, Charles Barber, whose job it would have been to redesign the coins. Barber was unhappy and made his own double eagle, J-1773. His pattern was not selected. It survived as a single pattern piece in the Smithsonian Institution. In 2009 the coin was privately issued as an Ultra Cameo proof restrike.   

The obverse shows a head of Liberty in profile facing left wearing a Phrygian cap inscribed LIBERTY and a laurel wreath. Seven stars are to the left and six are to the right with the date below. The reverse uses his pattern half dollar obverse J-1766, which shows Liberty standing, her right hand holding a sword and her left a pole on top of which is another Phrygian cap. Rays are behind Liberty, and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is within them. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above, and the denomination DOUBLE EAGLE is on either side of the statue. The date 20  09 is in the exergue. 

The NGC label tells the specifications: 1906 Pattern Double Eagle Smithsonian Collection, Private Issue struck 2009, 1 ounce .999 gold, Ultra Cameo Gem Proof.