2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin
Coin collectors and enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting one of the most anticipated coins to be struck by the US Mint in more than 80 years. The 2009 issue of the Ultra High Relief St Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin is slated for early 2009 and the first two pieces have already been struck. One is heading to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and the other will stay in the US Mint's own collection.Originally minted in 1907, the Ultra High Relief Double Eagle saw a very limited production of only 19 pieces and only a few are known to still exist. The finest known example is a PCGS graded MS 69 Proof valued at $5 million. The problem with these coins as originally designed was that the technology at the time made them very difficult to strike and because of their design, they were impossible to stack unlike all other coins. This made it difficult for banks to store them, thus the ultra high relief design faded into history.
However, early in 2008 Mint Director Ed Moy announced that a new Ultra High Relief St Gaudens Double Eagle would be struck. The coin will be of the original design by Augustus Saint Gaudens except for the edge will be imprinted with E Pluribus Unum feature stars between each letter. The obverse will also include 50 stars instead of the 46 representing the number of states in 1907 as on the first St Gaudens Double Eagle.
The 2009 Ultra high Relief will be produced in 24 karat gold to make them purer and to facilitate the multiple strikes required to produce the ultra high relief design. Fortunately the technology of today allows for the production of this coin some believe is the most beautiful coin ever minted. The design will also include roman numerals to represent the date of strike as on the original.
The coins will go into unlimited production depending on the demand which is sure to be very high amongst collectors. Only coins with a date of 2009 will be manufactured and sales will continue throughout the year and may go into 2010 if there is still inventory. Many are not anticipating this will be the case since there is such a strong demand and preorders for the coin late in 2008.
The coins will surely show up on eBay and other auction sites and demand goes up and some time after product ends. When first struck the 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle will be directly available from the US Mint.
Don't miss your chance to get a copy of the most anticipated coin in almost a century. This strike and beautiful and collectible investment grade coin will certainly go down in history as a sought after treasure.