Coin Blog

On December 31, 2009, the United States Mint officially ended sales of the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin. This had been one of the highlights of last year's schedule. It was a recreation of Saint Gaudens' vision for an ultra high relief $20 gold double eagle coin that could not be realized with the technology of his time.

Sales of the coin had started on January 22, 2009. As expected there was a huge rush of orders from collectors who wanted to own this special issue. In the opening weekend more than 40,000 coins were sold. This is made even more impressive by the one per household ordering limit that was in place at the time.

The 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Coin remained on sale throughout the remainder of the year with some adjustments. When applicable the price of the coin was adjusted based on the average price of gold. This caused the initial ordering price of $1,189 per coin to rise to $1,489 by the end of the year. The household ordering limit was also adjusted from the initial limit of one to ten, then twenty five, and eventually it was removed completely.

The last reported sales before the end of the year was 112,065. While this number is somewhat high, there is likely to always be demand for this special and historic coin, which will hopefully support premiums above value of the one ounce gold content.

Although there has been no official press release from the US Mint, the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle gold coin is scheduled for release today January 22, 2009 at 12:00 Noon ET.

Many are predicting huge demand for the coin, which will definitely cause long telephone order hold time waits and might slow down the US Mint's website.

There is some information recently made available about ordering the coin. The price should be $1,189.00 per coin. This works out to a somewhat high premium of about $350 per coin.

The US Mint will be imposing a household limit of one. This limit will be in effect from the start of sales, but will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

The US Mint seems to be experiencing problems obtaining sufficient gold blanks to produce the coins. They are asking customers to prepare for a potential six to nine month wait for delivery!

Yesterday, the US Mint unveiled a new pricing policy for all gold and platinum numismatic products.

Under the new policy, prices can be updated as often as weekly. Adjustments will take place on Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM ET if the average price of gold for the prior week exceeds certain thresholds. The thresholds are placed at $50 increments for gold products and $100 increments for platinum products.

The pricing charts included with the US Mint's notification included the eagerly anticipated 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle. This is the first indication that collectors have seen on the price for the upcoming offering.

Provided the average price of gold remains between $850 to $899.99, the coins will be priced at $1,239 each.  The coins will be released on January 22, 2009.

In January 2009, the United States Mint will release what has been called the "Nation's most beautiful coin." This is Augustus Saint Gaudens' Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle. The coin was originally designed for the

The Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle was a coin originally designed by Augustus Saint Gaudens for the $20 Gold Double Eagle coin. Unfortunately, the technology of his era did not allow a coin of such high relief to be mass produced. As a result, a lower relief version was used. With modern technology, Saint Gaudens' artistic vision can finally be realized.

There will be several notable alterations to the the classic design. The obverse of the coin will carry the Roman Numeral date MMIX for 2009 and the number of stars will be increased from 46 to 50. The reverse of the coin will have the motto "In God We Trust" added between the sun and its rays. Coins will be struck on .9999 fine gold with a diameter of 27 millimeters and thickness of 4 millimeters.

The Mint's intention to recreate the coin was first mentioned on March 13, 2008. The announcement was positively reveiced by coin collectors and buzz for the new offering started to build. On July 30, 2008 the designs were revealed at the ANA World's Fair of Money. Recently on November 24, 2008 the first coins were struck at the West Point Mint.

The coins are expected to be available for sale to the public in January 2009. The exact date, as well as the pricing and ordering information have not yet been announced. Images of the coin appear below!