Took an ax and gave Ms. Liberty 40 whacks.

OK, it’s not Lizzie Borden. I’m referring to the face of Ms. Liberty on St. Gaudens double eagles … specifically the normal relief business strikes issued 1907-1933. When looking at a potential purchase (and I don’t have many), I can’t help but examine her face closely. In most cases, it looks like the poor lady was the victim of a vicious beating.

On other types of coins with St. Gaudins’ design … ultra-high relief, high relief, proofs, modern re-creations, Ms. Liberty’s face is nicer.

Ms. Liberty’s face doesn’t count for much in grading … it’s only a small percentage of the surface area of the devices. So, her face even on a high-grade coin can look like hamburger. A couple of examples are below. The first, believe it or not, is a 1907 Arabic date MS68 from the Simpson collection. The second is a 1907 Arabic date MS66+. And similar, awful faces are common for every date and mint.

What about the fabled legal-to-own 1933 double eagle? It’s MS65 and the third pic. So, are there some OK faces? Yes, they do occur. The fourth photo shows one; it’s a 1911 graded MS66+.

So, what’s the cause of Ms. Liberty’s mutilation? Post striking damage plays a role, more with lower versus higher grade coins. Poor striking and poor die creation and management are possible culprits. It’s possible that working hubs had some of Ms. Liberty’s features polished off or that insufficient pressure was used when creating working dies from hubs. Die mishandling or filling may play a role in some cases.

I reject 95+% of St. Gaudins double eagles because of Ms. Liberty’s face. Maybe the grading services should have a suffix on the grade for examples with decent faces. How about NF for nice face? A MS63NF coin would get my full attention … even though I probably wouldn’t be able to afford it.

Cal

 

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How about FO for 'face off'?

 

Looks like Ms. Liberty need a face lift Beverly Hills style .

 

Well dang.... Now I have to go home and study Ms. Liberty's face on my double eagles under some serious magnification.

 

Gosh, how much beauty detail for improvement could be expected on such a small coin-metal face, gold or otherwise...? I mean, not much I don't think. Seems to be more with her nose...a 'high point' (no pun intended) for sure and given to smacks, rubs and other nose jobs here/there, even if MS, it is what it is.

 

She has a deviated septum now!!!! Look it up!!!!

 

Looks like PMD, having taken hits, but in the same small space? Strange to say the least.

 

You mean like this?

 

I'm guessing that she took a few in the face for our freedom!

 

I guess my ladies got lucky. First is MS63 and second one is MS64. Other than a somewhat flat nose, my girls seem to have escaped the axe.