Also recognized as Judd-1774, the 1907 Wire Rim Eagles are technically considered to be special issues but they are collected alongside with the other dates in the series. They most closely represent the original concept which sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and President Theodore Roosevelt imagined the new Indian Head coins to look like.

Saint-Gaudens designed the coin with a neck-up rendition of Miss Liberty that was fashioned from inspiration attained while viewing Nike standing prominently in front of General William Tecumseh Sherman’s horse at the Sherman Monument in New York City in 1905.

He felt that a full figured Liberty was more appropriate to be displayed on the larger Double Eagles for which he is most famous. At the request of President Theodore Roosevelt, Saint-Gaudens added a war bonnet to Liberty’s head to give more character to the coin.

Wire Rim Coin: A Rare and Valuable Collectible

The issue gets its “Wire Rim” name from the way in which metal was squeezed between the collar and the dies, creating a knife-like rim that is prevalent on both sides of the coin. The Mint soon discovered ejection problems caused by the lack of a traditional rim. This made the issue particularly susceptible to marks and abrasions and officials ultimately decided that it was too impractical for circulation.

This transitional issue is extremely popular amongst collectors and continually commands a premium each time it is seen at auction. Gem Uncirculated (MS65) and finer examples can be found from time to time. A single MS69 example exists and it has been graded by NGC. Together with a single 1908-S, they represent the only two coins in the series to achieve that outstanding level of preservation.