Ultra High Relief / High Relief

High relief and ultra high relief coins are coins that have a more textured, almost three-dimensional look. The concept dates back to Ancient Greece when the currency was struck by hand, which allowed for the application of a greater amount of creativity and artistic license to the process. In the past, the U.S. Mint has produced several special edition high-relief coins. However, the effort involved in creating them, and the amount of wear dies incurred as a result, typically limited them to short runs and failed experiments. In recent years, however, new technology has made it possible to reproduce high relief and ultra high relief coins on a mass scale.

2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle

The first modern attempt to create an ultra high relief coin was the 2009 Double Eagle. Based on the famous design created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1907, the coin was an effort to finally fulfill the sculptor’s vision after more than 100 years of compromise.

The 2009 Gold Double Eagle coins were made from 99.99% pure, 24-karat gold and produced at the U.S. Mint's West Point facility. They weighed one troy ounce and had a $20 denomination. The ultra high relief design gives these coins a dramatic appearance that complements its mirror polish and crisp edges.

All told, the U.S. Mint produced just 114,427 $20 Gold Double Eagle coins in 2009. Mint State Gold has several excellent examples available that are certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and graded either MS69 or MS70.

Browse our current inventory below or contact a representative directly for assistance.

American Liberty 2015 High Relief Gold Coin

The U.S. Mint released its most recent high relief coin in 2015. Known as High Relief Liberty coins, these were the first-ever gold coin produced by the U.S. Mint in a $100 denomination. Like the Ultra High Relief Double Eagle coins, they were made from 24-karat gold and struck three times during the minting process to create the unique high relief effect.

The U.S. Mint produced American Liberty High Relief coins in limited numbers — the majority of which were sold during the first few days of their release. Today, they remain highly coveted by collectors.

Collecting High Relief and Ultra High Relief Gold Coins

Shop for Ultra High Relief Double Eagle and High Relief American Liberty coins in the Mint State Gold online store. Our team has more than 50 years of experience selling rare and collectible coins from around the world. We have several excellent examples of both coins in stock and ready to deliver to you. We ship for free and offer a 14-day money back guarantee on all numismatic products.

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