High Relief. What? A glance in any dictionary gives you this: Noun high relief A form of classical sculpture in which forms extend from the background by at least half of their depth. An encyclopedia may add a few examples of sculptural uses including the bas relief ( low relief) designation and its similarity to embossment or tell you of its use on medals. A numismatic Dictionary defines it thusly: High Relief Refers to a high pointed feature on a coin's surface that is intentionally raised to an exceptional level. Producing a High Relief coin requires multiple strikes, to fully push the metal into the deepest recesses of the die. A coin with deep concave fields, due to its design. What do those two words mean to you? Do they make you think of the United States 1907 Gold Eagle or Gold Double Eagle? Maybe the USA's 1921 and 1922 Peace Dollars? Or are you envisioning that new 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle? Know who is responsible for those 1907 gold coins? I'm pretty sure you know Augustus Saint-Gaudens designed both of them. I'm, also, pretty sure you know that the new 2009 UHR Gold Double Eagle bears that same design. I even bet you know the 1921 and 1922 High Relief Peace Dollars were designed by Anthony deFrancisi. Before we dealve into some photos of High Relief coins let's you and I open our numismatic history books and leaf through the Presidential years of Theadore Roosevelt. During the many overseas trips to Europe President Roosevelt became enamoured with the depth and artistic beauty of Greek coinage. He voiced his disgust in the plainness of American coins often, and conversing with a lot of prominent people throughout the East (mostly in Boston and New York), Teddy began a scheme for new designs on the gold coins of the U.S. Teddy's, and those people's, main thought was that the designs and execution of coinage of the time had become inferior and inartistic when compared with those of Ancient Greece. Teddy voiced his opinion to anyone who would listen by saying, "...As the coins used by a nation are one of the most enduring records of the art and mechanical skill of its age, our government should make an issue of coinage that would leave to future generations and ages something that would more truthfully and correctly reflect the artistic taste and mechanical ability of our day than the coinage now in use, unchanged for so many years." Teddy was so adamant about his desire to improve the U.S. gold coinage early in 1905 he introduced the Mint Director, George E. Roberts, to the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Teddy brokered a contract between the two that gave Saint-Gaudens the task of supplying designs in High Relief for $10 and $20 gold coins. Saint-Gaudens tendered his designs in July, and though accepted by Roberts, they didn't meet the approval of Teddy. Finally, Saint-Gaudens, early in 1907, accomplished the impossible. Teddy approved his latest designs. Dies were produced at the Philadelphia Mint, but all efforts to produce a satisfactory coin on the regular coining presses failed. The presses could not effectively handle the High Relief. A medal press was then resorted to, in the hope that the beauty of the design might be studied and preserved in the shape of a coin, but even by this process it required about twelve blows or impressions in the press for each piece, with an annealing process between each stroke. Nineteen pieces only were struck and all were subsequently given to mint and Washington officials connected with the project. Saint-Gaudens, himself, attempted to facilitate the work of coinage, by supplying a second set of models with a reduced relief. Again, failure. A third lower relief, also, failed. This resulted in considerable friction between the artist and the mint authorities. President Roosevelt's impatience caused him to conclude that the mint officials didn't possess the zeal in the task to produce the results desired. Teddy increased his pressure on Director Roberts so much, Roberts resigned. Frank Leach, superintendent of the branch mint in San Francisco from 1897 to 1907 was tapped to become Robert's replacement as Director of the Mint. The following is an excerpt from a book written after Leach's departure from the Mint. "It was at this stage of undertaking that I came into the office of Director. Before I had become familiar with my surroundings the President sent for me. In the interview that followed he told me what he wanted, and what the failures and disappointmrnts had been, and proceeded to advise me as to what I should do to accomplish the purpose determined upon in the way of new coinage. In this talk he suggested some details of action of a drastic character for my guidance, which he was positive were necessary to be adopted before success could be had. All this was delivered in his usual vigorous way, emphazing many points by hammering on the desk with his fist, This was my first interview with the President and it was somewhat embarrassing for me to oppose his views, but I felt that it was essential to my success that I should be untrammeled by any interference in the plans that I should adopt to secure the production of the new coinage. I determined then and there that if I could not have free rein in the matter I would not accept the work. In my reply to the President I finally made the wisdom of my position clear to him. I explained to him how I had not yet had time to look into the matter and locate the causes of failure, consequently could not say what was necessary to correct them. At any rate, I would insist that these were matters of details that should be left to my judgement.." "All you want, Mr. President," I said, "is the production of the coin with the new design, is it not?" "Yes," said he. "Well, that I promise you." A few days later Director Leach placed on Teddy's desk samples of beautifully executed Double Eagles of the Saint-Gaudens design.. By running the medal presses 24 hours a day 12,153 Double Eagles were delivered to the Treasurer of the United States ahead of time! Now you know the how, why and who of High Relief 1907 $20 Gold pieces. Understand, most High Relief modern coins are beautiful works of art, but are not candidates for circulation production. Though numismatists throughout the world hunt for them commerce shuns them because the High Relief scratches too easily. Banks and other businesses shun them because of handling and storing problems (lack of stackability). That's why most of the ones you see are NCLTs, commemoritives, and proofs. Some of the following links may not be live when you read this post because some of the photos are of coins that are presently for sale. A notation (Link may be dead) will accompany any possible actuality. Here's a photo of the USA's High Relief 1907 Gold Eagle ($10) courtesy of coinpage.com. As with all Coin Page's photos click link below photo for view of the reverse or for enlargements: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-4520.html Here's a photo of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens' Gold Double Eagle ($20) courtesy of Coin Gallery: http://www.coin-gallery.com/cg190720.htm Springing forward from 1907 to 2009 here's a photo of the new UHR 2009 Double Eagle courtesy of mintnewsblog.com: http://mintnewsblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/2009-ultra-high-relief-double-eagle.html Here's a photo of the 1921 Peace Dollar designed by deFrancisi courtesy of Coin Page: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-4782.html Want to see some photos of Ancient Greek coins that may have influenced President Theador (Teddy) Roosevelt? Here's a few photos courtesy of Coin Page: Here's a splendid example. Remember the owl was the first animal ever placed on a coin. This Athens Silver Tetradrachm circa 150-145 BC is truly a piece of art. Photo courtesy of Coin Page: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-5014.html How about this Maroneia Silver Tetrdrachm struck in 148 BC? http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-5055.html Even though covered with green patina this Sestertius bearing the bust of Hadrian which was minted circa 117 - 138 AD bears witness to the art of the Greeks. Photo courtesy of Coin Page: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-5087.html And look what the hammer and forge created circa 153 - 155 AD during the reign of Antonius Pius. Photo courtesy of Coin Page: http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-5087.html In staying with the theme (High Relief coins) of this post, I will select a few other coins of the world to show you. Let's check out the coinage of our Northern neighbor, Canada. When the new dies, with the new inscriptions, were finally ready later in 1948, 5 cent pieces of that date were struck. The new design for the obverse included not just a new inscription, but the King's portrait was also slightly redesigned, with a slightly higher relief, and much bolder hair lines. Due to having been minted only later in the year, the mintage for 1948 5 cent coins was lower than for most years around that time. This photo courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/coine_canada.php?image=img14/35-42&desc=Canada%20km42%205%20Cents%20(1948-1950)%20modified%20legend&query=km%2042 Another High Relief Canadian Five Cent coin was struck in 1951. To know which coin is which look at the word Gratia on the obverse. The High Relief coin has the second "A" pointing to a denticle. The low relief coin's second "A" in GRATIA points between denticles. Take a look courtesy of Don's Coin World: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ada km48 5 Cents (1951) (factory)&query=km 48 Here's a newer Canadian addition to its High Relief coins, namely a 2005 $30 Silver Proof courtesy of Talisman Coins (may be dead): http://www.talismancoins.com/servlet/Detail?no=611 Canada raised its High Relief coin count by producing a Queen Victoria $15 Silver Proof in 2008 (link may be dead): http://www.talismancoins.com/servlet/Detail?no=547 Now let's visit the Mint of that island nation to the south of Key West, Cuba. Let's examine three denominations of their first coinage issue produced in 1915: namely the 20 and 40 Centavo coins and that elusive 1915 Peso. All three denominations were modified during the minting process of 1915. There are low relief and High Relief specimens. The link below is to the website of Coins of Cuba. As you scroll down their page on the 1915 coins struck in both reliefs you will view photos showing the differences between the reliefs: http://coinsofcuba.com/index.php/general/53135837/cuban-high-and-low-relief-coinage.html In 2007 Mongolia authorized the minting of a High Relief 500 Tugrik Silver coin in Proof only. Photo and texr courtesy of Black Mountain Coins (link may be dead): http://www.blackmountaincoins.com/p/BMC/c-WILDLIFE-PROOF-SILVER-CROWNS/2007_MNG_03449.html Leave it to Australia to lead the charge in 2009 by creating beautiful High Relief gold Koalas. Catch a looksee courtesy of Perth Mint (link may be dead): http://www.perthmint.com.au/catalog...09-gold-proof-coin-series.aspx?ProductID=2242 Perhaps its time to end this post... Hope you enjoyed the journey... Clinker
If you look over the last 101 years of Lincoln cent issues the older ones, especially those in the 1960's - 1974 era had higher relief. Then it went down down down, and they spaghetti haired Lincoln in the late 1980's making an abomination of what used to be a nice design.
To hontonai: Finding numismatic themes is almost as hard as researching a subject so something new can be shared... Clinker
I'm familiar with the different varieties of 1907 Eagles, but had never heard any of them referred to as high relief. Thanks.
Interesting stuff. Kinda makes me want to go out and spend some $s on HR coins. I believe, the only one I've got is the1921 Peace $. I may need more soon. Bruce
Hey mralexanderb: Bruce, So good to hear from you again. If you get one or more let us know and post pics so we can share your good fortune...:high5: Clinker
