The $20 Saint-Gaudens double eagle was minted from 1907 to 1933. Designed by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the coin displayed beautiful high relief features with the date struck in Roman numerals. Due to declining health, Augustus Saint-Gaudens died on August 3rd, 1907 before the design was finalized and put into production.
Only 12,367 coins were struck in Augustus Saint-Gaudens's original design. In late 1907 due to the difficulty in producing such a high relief coin Charles E. Barber, the Mints chief engraver, convinced the Mint to change the relief of the original design so that the coin could be minted in only one strike. Among these changes were replacing the Roman numerals date with Arabic numerals.
The obverse of the 1907 double eagle features Lady Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Behind her are the rays of the Sun, with the U.S. Capitol displayed to her right. There are 46 stars surrounding her representing the 46 states that made up the U.S. at the time.
The reverse of the 1907 double eagle features an eagle in flight, backed by rays from the Sun. Notice anything missing stamped over the Sun?
One of the most notable features in the design of the 1907 double eagle is the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was omitted by the direction of President Theodore Roosevelt. He believed that since money could be used for ungodly pursuits, the name of the Lord should not be used.
This was my first $20 Saint-Gaudens double eagle. I was attracted to it because it was the first year of the coin, it didn't have "IN GOD WE TRUST" on it, and I think it is a great example of the coin. I've seen other MS64, and while nice, I like this one a lot.
Till next time...
Ian
