$20 Saint-Gaudens Tribute – 2 oz High Relief Silver
Liberty steps toward the viewer with a torch held high, while an eagle glides above a rising sun on the reverse. Intaglio Mint brings the celebrated Saint-Gaudens double eagle design to 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver. High relief gives the figures added depth within the substantial 39mm format.
From Sculptor’s Model to American Coin
President Theodore Roosevelt’s collaboration with Augustus Saint-Gaudens helped reshape American gold coinage. Their 1907 double eagle placed a full-length, advancing Liberty on a coin that had traditionally carried a head-and-shoulders portrait.
The design’s sculptural depth presented a practical challenge. Saint-Gaudens’ assistant Henry Hering recalled preparing and testing models with different levels of relief as the project developed. The version ultimately used for regular circulation had lower relief to meet the demands of production. A modern high-relief tribute invites collectors to appreciate the modeling that made the original project so ambitious.
Obverse Design
Liberty carries a torch and an olive branch, with long rays rising behind her. The U.S. Capitol appears at lower left, stars circle the border, and “LIBERTY” spans the top. Drapery, windblown hair, and the forward step create a sense of motion within the circular design.
Reverse Design
A left-facing eagle flies across the rays of a rising sun. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” follows the upper rim, with “TWO TROY OUNCES” beneath. The weight inscription and hallmark identify this silver tribute; the $20 reference in its name belongs to the historic gold-coin inspiration.
Specifications
- Weight: 2 troy ounces
- Metal: .999 fine silver
- Diameter: 39mm
- Thickness: Approximately 6mm
- Edge: Reeded
- Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
- Relief: High Relief
Explore more designs in our silver round collection.
