The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagles were originally sold by the United States Mint in elegant packaging with a certificate of authenticity and companion book. Many collectors take care to preserve the original packaging as an indispensable accompaniment or display for their coin.

A blue slipcover and outer cardboard box includes the Treasury Department seal and text “2009 United States Mint Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin” in gold printing. This box opens to reveal a mahogany wood box, finished with a high gloss lacquer. The coin is placed within, housed in a plastic holder and inserted into a wooden stand that can be positioned to display the coin. The interior is lined with blue velvet.

The certificate of authenticity is a folded card with an image of the coin on the front. The inside briefly recounts the story of the original design and its modern recreation. It is signed by Edmund C. Moy, Director of the United States Mint. On the back of the certificate are the specifications of the coin, stated as:

Condition: Business Strike
Date: 2009
Mint: West Point
Mint Mark: None
Diameter: 27 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Composition: 24K (.9999) Fine Gold
Weight: 1.0001 Troy Ounce (31.108g)
Design: Obverse: Augustus Saint Gaudens’ full-length figure of Librty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Reverse: Augustus Saint Gaudens’ design of a young abld eagle flying during a sunrise
Coin Artist: Obverse and Reverse: Augustus Saint Gaudens, American Sculptor (1848-1907)

The companion book included with the coin was initially shipped to customers separately, but after a few months, it was shipped together with the coin and packaging. The book is 48 pages in length and chronicles the history and development of the coin from President Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens initial collaboration to the minting of the modern version of the coin.


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The nature of the product and the elegant packaging seemed to contribute to an effort by the United Sates Mint to position the coin as a luxury item that could also be purchased by non-collectors. The Mint advertised the coin in publications such as Art News as a high end item, appealing for its uniqueness and beauty. A separate website was also created, which featured videos and historical accounts, which were not found on the Mint’s primary website. While there were never any specific statements from the Mint about their efforts to extent the market of their collectible coins, future products have not been presented in such a way.