It isn’t often that the US Mint tries something different, but this superb high-relief American Liberty coin is a real step up from their recent gold output, most of which has centred around an inexplicable series showcasing the United States First Ladies; i.e. the wives of politicians…  Tapping into the American love of symbolism, the coin drips with it, depicting Lady Liberty by Justin Kunz on the obverse and the American Eagle by Paul Belan in all its glory on the reverse. It really is a beautiful coin, almost up there with the 2014 Britannia from the Royal Mint, very high praise indeed. If I could afford it, I’d be queuing for one.

Struck in four nines gold and packaged in a relatively unassuming little coin box (a NZ Mint style acrylic display block would’ve been so much better), the coin goes on sale at noon Eastern Time on Thursday with a household limit of 50 pieces, if 50 ounces of gold can actually be called a relevant limit for pretty much everyone interested. Realistically, most will be able to order what they want, be it one or five of them. Price has yet to be set as the mint tightly links the sales price of its coins to the current spot price, but we’d guess that around $1500-1550 would be about right.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The United States Mint fulfilled renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ original vision of an ultra high relief double eagle gold coin with the release of the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin, closing one era of classic American coin design and ushering in a new one.

The 2015 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin is the latest in that new era, a piece that renders contemporary designs using the latest in modern digital and manufacturing technology.

United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Justin Kunz has created a modern depiction of Liberty for the obverse (heads side), evoking the ideals of liberty, courage and hope. Artistic Infusion Program artist Paul Balan’s reverse (tails) design depicts an American eagle rising in flight, gripping a branch in its talons as an embodiment of freedom.

The 2015 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin represents our proud numismatic heritage and glimmering future at their very best.

Containing one troy ounce of .9999 fine 24–karat gold, these lustrous high relief coins are among the world’s purest gold coins. Each is encapsulated and presented in a black velvet presentation case and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. It will be a treasured addition to any collection.

The coin’s obverse (heads side) design depicts a “modern” Liberty, portrayed standing, crowned with leaves, holding the American flag and a torch. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2015.” The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Justin Kunz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The coin’s reverse (tails side) design depicts an American eagle rising in flight, gripping a branch in its talons. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1 OZ.,” “.9999 FINE GOLD,” and “ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.” The reverse was designed by AIP artist Paul C. Balan and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

Each coin is encapsulated and packaged in a black, satin lined, velvet presentation case. A certificate of authenticity is included. Mintage is set at 50,000 coins. Orders will be limited to 50 units per household.

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DESIGN SELECTION

 

Like the epic America the Beautiful series, the US Mint is very open about its design selection process, and the one for this coin kicked up a large number of potential winning candidates, many quite superb. MintNewsBlog has a full article on the original selections, all 25 obverse and 16 reverse side candidates, so we won’t repeat them here, but pictured above are the sketches for the chosen designs. It’s unlikely that these will be everyones favourites but they’re beautiful anyway, such was the high standard.

SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$100 USD 0.9999 GOLD 31.1035 g 30.61 mm PROOF 50,000 YES / YES