No.5: Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt sought to beautify American coinage. For that purpose, he asked Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the Double Eagle. Augustus Saint-Gaudens died in 1907 after finishing the design, although it wasn’t ready for production. Therefore, the coin took the name of its creator to honor his memory and his work. This coin, considered by many to be the most beautiful of the American coins, has the particularity of having a high relief in its first editions. But it caused problems to store and strike it, which is why during the year of its creation, they slightly modified the coin in order to lower the relief.
Saint-Gaudens’ obverse design features Lady Liberty. She is holding a torch in one hand, symbolizing illumination, and an olive branch in the other, symbolizing peace. In the background, you can see the rising sun, the American Capitol and the date of issue in Roman numerals.
The new design of the Double Eagle’s reverse offers a magnificent view of a flying eagle. There is also a rising sun and its rays behind it.
From 1908 onwards, the motto “In God We Trust” appeared under the eagle on the reverse of the coin. In addition, the date of issue, previously written in Roman numerals, was written in Arabic numerals.
In 1933, the government enacted a law prohibiting private individuals from possessing gold coins to prevent the hoarding of gold. The issue of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle then ceased.
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