Big Photos of the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle

Obverse

Reverse

Edge inscription

2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle

Most of the new coins from the US Mint these days are junk. The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle is another story. It digitally recreates an Augustus St. Gaudens masterpiece from 1907, a pattern the size of the $10 eagle, but twice as thick (there were also about 20 full-size ultra high relief double eagles of normal thickness). Only a handful of these original ultra high relief coins were minted because the mechanics for attaining such detail required so many high-pressure strikes that mass production was impractical. This is my favorite coin and may be the most beautiful coin ever minted.

The new coin currently sells for $1239 and contains 1oz. of 24-karat gold, which is softer and easier to mint than the original double eagles. There have been a lot of complaints about the mint delivering these coins without requiring a signature. A lot of coins have come loose from their holders, and a lot of coins have spots. The usual US Mint problems.