Wrapping up our breakdown of gold bullion coins from our series Evolution of a Denomination, we look at one-off gold coins that were not part of a program but were significant in their contribution to the hobby. One moved the needle when it came to advances in minting, one came from a ground-breaking collaboration, and another commemorated a landmark in American coinage.
MMIX Ultra High Relief Gold Coin (2009)
Modeled after the 1907 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Pattern, this modern version of the gold coin was struck in 2009. Bringing the famous double eagle pattern into the 21st century, the United States Mint used minting techniques, including the digital design and the die making process, that had never been done before. Due to the nature of the high relief in the original design, the Mint was not able to mass produce the coin. However, the process was updated in 2009, and the coin was able to be struck not only in high relief, but ULTRA high relief.
In the original design, the obverse featured a similar Liberty to the one seen on the Saint Gaudens double eagle coins produced from 1907-1933. The 2009 design recreated the original, although it was smaller in diameter, was struck in 24 karat gold, changed the date to 2009 (which was seen in Roman numerals), and four additional stars were added to reflect the 50 states. Also featured on the reverse was the addition of IN GOD WE TRUST along the bottom. Through technology, the original Saint Gaudens plasters were digitally mapped and used in the die making process.
The coins are comprised of 1oz .999 fine gold and were made at West Point. Just 114,427 coins were struck, all of which were Uncirculated and came in a special mahogany box.
Liberty and Britannia Gold Coins (2024)
In 2024, two of the world’s largest and oldest mints came together to create the 2024 Liberty and Britannia program. It consisted of a silver medal and a gold coin and was the first time ever that two chief engravers (Joseph Menna and Gordon Summers) from the two countries would produce a unified design.
Both the silver medal and gold coins featured Liberty and Britannia together on the obverse, each balancing each other out in a complementary way mimicking the faces of a playing card. The reverses show the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean as it is framed by an English Yew in the east and a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine tree in the west.
The gold coin is struck in 1oz 24 karat .9999 fine gold from West Point in a Proof finish.
230th Anniversary Flowing Hair High Relief Gold Coin (2024)
Perhaps one of the biggest releases of the last five years, the Mint released this special gold coin to honor the 230th anniversary of the first U.S. $1 coin, which was the Flowing Hair silver dollar. It was first issued on October 15, 1794, under the then director of the United States Mint, David Rittenhouse.
The gold coin, which was released in November of 2024, replicated the original design and was struck in 1oz of .9999 fine 24 karat gold. Minted in a High Relief Proof finish, the coin was extremely limited in mintage with just 17,500 produced. However, they also created a variety with the gold bullion coin where just 230 coins were struck with a 230 privy mark on the obverse. Historic, of course, but very difficult to collect due to several factors. Issue prices, certification costs, limited mintage, and more contribute to this special gold bullion coin being out of reach for many.
Source: NGC Coin; The Official 2026 Red Book, United States Mint
