Scarcity of blanks may slow delivery of high relief $20

Sales were set to begin for the Ultra-High-Relief Saint-Gaudens gold $20 Jan. 22 just as this issue of Numismatic News was going to press.

Sales were set to begin for the Ultra-High-Relief Saint-Gaudens gold $20 Jan. 22 just as this issue of Numismatic News was going to press.

An initial price of $1,189 was set and it could fluctuate each week in accordance with the Mint’s new pricing procedures based on the London price of gold bullion.

An order limitation of one coin per household was in effect.

Also, the Mint cautioned that delivery could take up to nine months depending on the quantity of orders received and the availability of blanks.

The Mint has been struggling with a shortage of gold blanks because unprecedented worldwide demand for gold bullion coins is straining the blank producers that the Mint depends upon.

The coin is smaller than a standard $20, more the $10 size and much thicker. It contains one troy ounce of .9999 fine gold. The coin is the original 1907 work of the artist that was never actually produced for circulation.

The 2009 date is in Roman numerals.

To order, visit the Mint’s Web site at www.usmint.gov, or telephone toll-free (800) USA-MINT. No mail orders will be accepted due to the possible price changes.

NMNAuthor