INDEPENDENCE MALL - February 3, 2009 On Tuesday they cut the ribbon at the United States Mint at Philadelphia opening the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin exhibit to the public.
It's a 24 K Gold Coin that's 27 mm in diameter and the width of 3 dimes. It costs about 1250-dollars. The United States Mint Director, Ed Moy explained it's majestic design is actually raised up from the coin.
"You see Liberty which is personified by a majestic woman striving forward with her hair flowing and gown billowing."
The woman is carrying a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other with the capitol in the background. The meaning:
"Where Liberty leads by torch which is enlightenment, where Liberty is led by enlightenment then peace will follow," Moy explained.
The coin is a digital reproduction of Augustus Saint Gaudens original 1907 double eagle gold piece. The lack of technology prevented mass production on that coin.
They made 29,000 of them but in the first 8 days 43,000 people placed an order so it's in high demand already.
"I love the design. I always have, I just think she's so elegant on there. Yeah it's beautiful and I love the etched lettering. The etched lettering is great, all the stars it's just beautiful," said Maureen Olkus of the city's Rhawnhurst section.
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