1907 $20 St Gaudens Double Eagle High Relief – Wire Rim NGC MS64

One of the most iconic and highly sought-after U.S. gold coins! A 1907 $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle High Relief with a “Wire Rim” graded NGC MS64 is a true numismatic treasure. Let’s break down what that means:

• 1907 $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle: This refers to the legendary twenty-dollar gold coin designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The 1907 issue is particularly famous because it was the first year of issue and features the striking “High Relief” design, which was incredibly difficult to strike cleanly due to its depth. This high relief design was short-lived because it required multiple strikes to bring up the design fully, making production slow and costly.

   

• High Relief: This refers to the exceptionally deep and artistic design elements on the coin, particularly the standing Liberty figure and the eagle. This relief was so high that it caused significant production challenges for the U.S. Mint.

   

• Wire Rim: This is a specific characteristic found on some of the early 1907 High Relief Double Eagles. A “wire rim” or “wire edge” is a thin, raised edge of metal that extends outward from the rim of the coin. It’s a result of the intense pressure used to strike the high-relief design, which caused excess metal to squeeze out between the die and the collar. These are generally highly desirable to collectors as they represent the original, unadulterated high relief design as intended by Saint-Gaudens.
• NGC MS64: This is the grade assigned by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), one of the top third-party coin grading services.

   

  • MS stands for “Mint State,” meaning the coin is uncirculated and shows no signs of wear.
  • 64 is the numerical grade on the Sheldon scale (from 1 to 70). An MS64 coin is considered a very attractive uncirculated example with good luster, a strong strike (especially important for High Reliefs), and only a few minor contact marks or hairlines that do not detract significantly from its overall eye appeal.

Value:

The 1907 High Relief Wire Rim Double Eagle is a significant rarity, and a specimen graded MS64 by NGC is highly valuable. Based on recent market data (current as of late June 2025), you can expect such a coin to sell in the range of $35,000 to $50,000 or potentially even more.

Factors that can influence the exact value include:

• Eye Appeal: Even within the same grade, some coins have better “eye appeal” due to their luster, toning, and lack of distracting marks.
• Strike Quality: For High Relief coins, a strong strike that brings up all the design elements is crucial and can add to the value.
• Market Demand: The overall demand for high-end U.S. gold coins can fluctuate.
• Dealer vs. Auction: Prices can vary between direct dealer sales and auction results.

It’s always recommended to check current price guides from reputable sources like PCGS, NGC, and Greysheet for the most up-to-date valuations when considering buying or selling such a significant coin.

A note from Paul:

As of June 27, 2025
PCGS Price Guide
$42,500
NGC Price Guide
$35,000
Greysheet
$39,000

This is obviously an example with superior eye appeal. I have priced it at just below the average of those three estimates.