Augustus Saint-Gaudens is a legendary figure in American numismatics due to the beauty of the gold coins he designed.
His work took place at a time when he was at the peak of the sculptural world in America, which in turn was demanding luxurious mansions and art works. Critic Thayer Tolles describes the mood in the country amongst some of the artists, architects and designers active.
"The demand for luxurious goods and imposing mansions was met by an ambitious group of architects, painters, sculptors, and decorators who believed that these collaborative projects stood as powerful reflections of their country's growing cultural presence on the world stage as it assumed its rightful place in a distinguished artistic continuum."
After decades of sculptural production, President Teddy Roosevelt called on Saint-Gaudens to redesign several of the nation's coins. Specifically he cited a high regard for the high relief seen on coins from ancient Greece, and asked the artist to incorporate this into his design.
Saint-Gaudens shared his aesthetic enthusiasm, but expected a less than joyful reaction from the engravers who had to deal with the production. Indeed the task was thought to border on the impossible.
In no mood to compromise, Roosevelt insisted that production must begin, "...even if it takes all day and night to produce one coin."
The best solution found was to use repeated strikes of a hydraulic press primarily used to create medals. Production was slow and intense, and the striking period which took place in late 1907 only produced just 12,367 coins.
 Saint Gaudens 1907 $20 high relief gold coin |
The example at Heritage is a Flat Rim coin, suggesting that it's one of the final coins struck in December 1907. Heritage describe it as being "...as close to perfection as we can remember in recent memory" and it has been graded MS67 by the NGC.
The spectacular piece is offered with an estimate of $125,000 in Heritage's auction which will take place live in Olando, Florida on July 8 (the Summer FUN auction). Bids are accepted online until then.
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