This coin is a modern version of the Saint-Gaudens double eagle. The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle features a much more pronounced high relief than previous coins. It was minted in 2009 and was way a to show how far minting technology has come over the years. Considered by most collectors the 1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was the most elegant coin ever minted. This design was a perfect choice for this high relief coin.
The design consisted of the same design of the 1907 version of this coin by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The obverse depicted full-bodied liberty, gliding forward wearing a flowing dress. Lady Liberty held a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Lady Liberty was backed by the rising sun. The reverse of the coin had an eagle soaring through the sky also backed by the rising sun. Engraved on the side of the coin was “E Pluribus Unum”.
The MMIX ultra high relief double eagle was minted in 2009. In fact, MMIX is 2009 in roman numerals. It was slightly smaller in diameter than the original 1907 Saint-Gaudens double eagle. It had a diameter of 27mm and was made of 24 karat gold, it weighed 1 troy oz which is equivalent to 31.1 g. This coin had a reeded edge and has a face value of $20. This coin also had a total mintage of 115,178 which is extremely low. The number of perfect grade 70 coins is under 9,000.