2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle

Ceylon62 brings up an interesting point. Where does this coin belong? Is it a tribute commemorating St. Gaudens, the original coin series of the early 1900s, or is it an additional bullion coin for 2009?

Many of us view this work as "just" (I apologise for being in-eloquent and at the risk of being indelicate) another bullion coin. It appears that the multitude of collectors and dealers that decided to pass on the acquisition are now trying to "deify" the minting as the greatest coin ever. I do agree, with most of the press releases, the Mint did an outstanding job producing the coin. I've never seen such numbers in the PCGS "Pop" report in the MS-69 and MS-70 columns. When they want to, they can produce a quality product. While some will disagree, I felt their process in this coins manufacture was flawless.




I wish the mint would have continued the series for a while but completely understand why they didn't. As to all of the comments, I agree that it will probably be an oddity forever; one that we can't quite assign to one category. Unfortunately for me, I'll always view it as a great, modern copy of the most beautiful coin in the world.

Sorry for the long discourse.

There are some who are in the process of trying to get the UHR reclassified into another category in coin publications etc. Not sure of the all technical jargon.

It's the dealers who are bidding it up as they are ones who technically passed up on the coin / have none on hand. The public hold the coins which the dealers want.

If I remember correctly, it originally sold in the mid-800 dollar range. If the mint had produced this coin in 2004 to say...2006, it probably would have sold out.