Crafting Jewelry from Numismatic Treasures: Assessing the MCMVII High Relief Saint and 1856 Flying Eagle Cent

Not Every Coin Belongs on the Jeweler’s Bench: An Artisan’s Perspective

After twenty years of transforming coins into wearable treasures, I’ve learned through hard experience which pieces sing on the mandrel and which deserve preservation in collections. While reports from the FUN Show highlight booming markets and record sales, we artisans see a different story etched in metal composition, structural integrity, and design potential. Let’s explore two darlings of the numismatic world – the legendary 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens and the pioneering 1856 Flying Eagle Cent – through the eyes of a metalsmith who respects both artistry and history.

When Rarity Clashes With Craftsmanship

Don’t be fooled by the “white hot” market chatter – every auction result whispers vital intelligence to those of us who reshape coins. When collectors chase pieces like the 1907 High Relief Saint (MCMVII) or 1856 Flying Eagle Cent, we must ask: Are these destined for airtight slabs or artisan’s tongs? The answer separates numismatic preservation from creative transformation.

“An MCMVII High Relief Saint in MS-63 condition won’t be affected by a 30% price drop in gold…” – Forum Participant

This market resilience makes High Relief Saints perilous candidates for jewelry. With only 12,367 originally struck – and far fewer surviving with the luster and surfaces worthy of conversion – destroying one for a ring borders on numismatic sacrilege when they command $3,000-$25,000+ in mint condition. The 1856 Flying Eagle presents a different dilemma: though 2,000 survivors exist, even circulated examples possess collectibility that gives pause to responsible artisans.

The Metalsmith’s Crucible: Composition Matters

1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

• Heart of Gold: 90% gold, 10% copper (classic pre-1933 alloy)
• Crafting Reality: Softer than sterling silver (95-115 HV vs 140-160 HV)
• Artisan’s Verdict: That glorious 34mm canvas tempts ring-makers, but demands respect:
  • Never dip below 3mm bezel thickness
  • Reinforce galleries aggressively when downsizing
  • Guard the original patina like a sacred trust

1856 Flying Eagle Cent

• Nickel’s Bite: 88% copper, 12% nickel (a tougher breed than bronze)
• Crafting Reality: Surprisingly robust (130-150 HV – think low-carbon steel)
• Artisan’s Verdict: The nickel-copper alloy sings under proper treatment:
  • 19mm diameter shines in pendants, strains in rings
  • Demands frequent annealing during forming
  • Cracks without mercy when worked cold

When forum members mention “prooflike MS” 1856 specimens, we shudder – such rare varieties with mirror surfaces command $15,000 premiums, making them tragic candidates for the jewelry bench despite their structural merits.

Design Alchemy: When Coin Meets Jewelry

High Relief Saint-Gaudens: Beauty With Teeth

Saint-Gaudens’ magnum opus offers both thrill and peril:

• Jeweler’s Delight:
  • Deep relief casts enchanting shadows when domed
  • Liberty’s profile survives the ring’s curve with grace
  • Reeded edges birth exquisite milgrain detailing
• Heartbreak Risks:
  • Wingtips and torch flames vanish into over-thinning
  • Delicate lettering warps on the finger’s arc
  • Original mint luster sacrificed to polishing demands

Flying Eagle Cent: Small Canvas, Big Potential

Longacre’s compact marvel punches above its weight:

• Hidden Strengths:
  • Spread wings create perfect pendant framing
  • “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” embraces ring bands elegantly
  • Nickel content holds crisp impressions like a vintage die
• Creative Hurdles:
  • Tiny size buries details on finger-worn pieces
  • “ONE CENT” demands clever concealment
  • Smooth edges lack natural finishing points

Ethics at the Anvil: When Not to Strike

Forum discussions about “Great Wealth Transfer” collecting sprees force hard questions. When observers note:

“…people were spending some of that in Florida…treat your coins like works of art” – Forum Participants

We jewelry-makers must codify our principles:

• Preserve key dates (MS-65+ 1856 Flyers belong in slabs, not on fingers)
• Rescue the wounded (details-grade coins, cleaned survivors)
• Chase provenance like detectives – every altered coin has a story
• Practice on bullion before touching numismatic treasures

The FUN Show’s “non-stop action” brings hope – more damaged specimens entering circulation means more ethical conversion opportunities for discerning artisans.

Better Candidates for the Jewelry Bench

For those inspired by recent show reports, consider these artisan-approved alternatives:

• Silver Stars:
  • Morgan/Peace Dollars (38mm silver canvases for statement rings)
  • War Nickels (1942-1945’s 56% silver – affordable and workable)
• Base Metal Beauties:
  • Buffalo Nickels (tough 75% copper alloy for enduring cufflinks)
  • Modern Quarters (copper cores create striking bicolor reveals)

Conclusion: Honor the Past While Creating the Future

The 1907 High Relief Saint and 1856 Flying Eagle Cent exist in that sacred space where numismatic value eclipses artistic conversion. Their status as transitional designs and market darlings makes them better suited for velvet trays than jeweler’s benches. Yet by studying their metallic souls and design challenges, we gain wisdom for working with humbler coins. As markets blaze hotter than a goldsmith’s torch, remember our dual role: creators of new heirlooms and stewards of history. Sometimes the most profound artistry lies not in transformation, but in preservation – allowing a coin’s story to unfold in collectors’ hands rather than on wearers’ fingers.

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