I dropped by my local coin shop today and the dealer handed me a MCMVII (1907) St. Gaudens Double Eagle High Relief in AU-55. What a beautiful coin. I asked if I could have a Low Relief version to compare. Having the two coins side-by-side I was able to better appreciate the difference. On the High Relief version Liberty and the Eagle seem to be coming out of the coin's surface. The Low Relief, by comparison, looks flat with very little detail. I noticed this difference especially in the Eagle's wing. If you ever get a chance to hold a High Relief St. Gaudens you should do a side-by-side comparison with a Low Relief version. Like me, you may better appreciate how much of a difference there is. Next I would like to do a side-by-side comparison between a Low Relief and an Ultra High Relief St. Gaudens.
A year or so ago while my wife and I were waiting to attend a presentation at the Smithsonian in DC we walked through the "castle". I was surprised to see some very nice displays. They didn't used to have them in that building since it was mostly administrative. And there in all its glory along with other monetary items was an Ultra High Relief St. Gaudins. It was absolutely stunning. If the new ones even come close, they ought to be spectacular.
