Because of its extreme relief, each coin required three separate blows from a hydraulic press to fully bring out the design. This made them impractical for general commerce, leading to a limited production of approximately 11,250 pieces. This particular specimen has been held in a private East Coast collection for over three decades, appearing only twice in public auctions since 1950.

The 1907 High Relief Double Eagle is widely considered the most beautiful coin in the history of American numismatics. Commissioned personally by President Theodore Roosevelt, who wished to see American coinage mirror the high artistic standards of Ancient Greece, the coin was designed by the preeminent sculptor of the era, Augustus Saint-Gaudens.