The extraordinary quality and beauty of the Saint Gaudens has made it one of the most popular coins among investors and collectors alike. Indeed, many experts say that it stands above the rest as the single most magnificent coin in U.S. history.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a towering figure in the world of American fine arts. His brilliance and renown brought him to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted to beautify American coinage and compete on the international market with other in-demand world coins.

In 1905, Roosevelt commissioned Saint- Gaudens to design a one-of-a-kind inaugural medal for the president. Aptly impressed, Roosevelt then invited his new-found friend and peer to fashion prospective new designs for the largest U.S. gold coin, the design still used on American gold bullion coinage today.

A Ground-Breaking Design for the U.S.
Saint Gaudens conceptualized the Double Eagle in ultra high relief. The first mintage, in 1907, preserved this feature, but production strikes used an adapted, business strike design to make minting and stacking the coins easier. A few high-relief coins entered circulation, but the vast majority were destroyed. The obverse of the Double Eagle features Lady Liberty, who clutches an olive branch and the Torch of Freedom. On the reverse, a majestic eagle soars before a rising sun.

Controversy Surrounds the Double Eagle
President Roosevelt and Saint Gaudens quietly minted the first design of the much-anticipated Double Eagle with the date written in roman numerals and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” removed. Roosevelt believed that the motto profaned God’s name. They even made two different kinds of this coin during 1907 and 1908, which are referred to as Ultra High Relief and High Relief. These designs each used different dies to strike the coins.

The Ultra High Reliefs were each struck 7-9 times during the minting process and the High Reliefs each received 5 strikes from the coin-minting machine. This was done to show the strongest detail possible of the coin’s design. Of the Ultra High Relief designs, only 20 are known to have survived and came in either a flat edge or lettered edge. The High Relief Saint Gauden released a limited number as well, just 11,250 pieces. Finding one of these coins is a true investors dream. The finest known Ultra High Relief is valued at over $5 million and the finest High Relief is valued at over $500,000.

"Saints" were minted each year from 1907 through 1916. A three-year hiatus followed, after which the coins were struck yearly from 1920 through 1933. The branch mints in Denver and San Francisco increased the main Philadelphia Mint production, but not in every year. Mint marks appear above the date, the designer's initials (ASG) below.

Since the 50’s, tens of thousands of "Saints" have found their way back to their country of origin and into investors' hands. Proofs are very rare as only 687 were offered for sale from 1908 through 1915. They were made with a flat matte finish except for 1909 and 1910 when they were made with a more brilliant Roman or satin finish. This large gold coin is actively sought by a myriad of investors and collectors: from bullion hoarders to type collectors to those challenged by the awesome undertaking of assembling a complete date and mintmark set.

In 1986, the U.S. Treasury paid the "Saint" the highest compliment by placing its obverse design on the American Eagle gold bullion coins, where it has remained ever since.

The Saint Gaudens $20 gold coins are the most heralded of all U.S. gold coins. The Double Eagles are considered to be some of the greatest collectors pieces of all the United States gold coinage. The $20 gold piece is the largest denomination of all regular United States Mint issues.

The Saint Gaudens represents a smart investment in today’s active market, and offers great returns, as well as superior privacy and tax advantages. As a long term investment or something that is handed down from generation to generation, few coins offer the value and security of a Saint Gaudens.