2015-W 1 Oz American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin - PCGS MS70 (First Strike)

Product ID: BST-0015613C3D

Specifications

Year 2015
Precious Metal Type Gold
Format Coin
Country of Origin United States
Brand/Mint U.S. Mint
Mint Mark W - West Point
Purity 0.9999
Weight 1 oz
Thickness (mm) 3.128 mm
Diameter (mm) 30.61 mm
Grade MS70
Grading Service PCGS

Product Details

Overview of the 2015-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin

The 2015-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin is a one troy ounce, .9999 fine gold coin struck by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Issued as a one-time release rather than part of an ongoing bullion series, it carries a $100 face value and represents a deliberate departure from the standard American Gold Eagle design language. The coin was graded MS70 by PCGS under the First Strike designation, placing it among the finest certified examples from the initial production window.

We carry this coin in PCGS-certified MS70 First Strike grade, meaning the piece you receive has been independently authenticated and encapsulated by one of the most respected grading services in the industry. As an authorized PCGS dealer, we handle certified coins with direct accountability to those standards.

History and Background

The 2015 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin was introduced as a modern commemorative anchor piece reflecting the United States Mint's commitment to high-relief sculpting at a scale not widely seen on American coinage since the early twentieth century. Inspired partly by the artistic legacy o

Overview of the 2015-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin

The 2015-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin is a one troy ounce, .9999 fine gold coin struck by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Issued as a one-time release rather than part of an ongoing bullion series, it carries a $100 face value and represents a deliberate departure from the standard American Gold Eagle design language. The coin was graded MS70 by PCGS under the First Strike designation, placing it among the finest certified examples from the initial production window.

We carry this coin in PCGS-certified MS70 First Strike grade, meaning the piece you receive has been independently authenticated and encapsulated by one of the most respected grading services in the industry. As an authorized PCGS dealer, we handle certified coins with direct accountability to those standards.

History and Background

The 2015 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin was introduced as a modern commemorative anchor piece reflecting the United States Mint's commitment to high-relief sculpting at a scale not widely seen on American coinage since the early twentieth century. Inspired partly by the artistic legacy of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the coin was designed to showcase what contemporary minting technology could achieve within that tradition. It was the first coin struck in .9999 fine gold by the United States Mint and the first gold coin to feature an African American representation of Liberty.

The West Point Mint, which bears the "W" mintmark, has served as the primary production facility for the United States Mint's premium gold coinage since the 1980s. Its reputation is closely tied to high-quality numismatic and bullion products, and the High Relief coin was well suited to a facility known for exacting production standards. The 2015 release was broadly seen as a relaunch of the artistic ambition that defined some of the most celebrated American coinage of the early 1900s.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse features a contemporary rendition of Lady Liberty in profile, designed by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The portrait depicts Liberty as a young woman in a natural, forward-looking pose, wearing a crown of stars. The relief is dramatically elevated, creating strong depth and shadow that distinguishes it immediately from standard-issue coins. The inscriptions "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2015" appear on the obverse alongside the $100 face value.

The reverse was designed by Chris Costello and features an eagle in dynamic flight, wings spread wide against an open field. The composition conveys motion and energy, which is amplified by the high-relief technique giving the eagle a sculptural, almost three-dimensional presence within the coin's planchet. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "1 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD" are inscribed on the reverse.

The coin's surfaces were struck on a burnished planchet with a matte-like texture on design elements contrasted against a more reflective field in some areas, producing a layered visual effect that rewards close examination. At MS70, every surface is fully struck with no post-production imperfections visible under standard grading magnification.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Each coin in this listing has been graded MS70 by PCGS and encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder that seals the coin against environmental exposure and handling. The PCGS certification includes a unique label identifying the coin as a First Strike example, reflecting submission during the initial release window established by PCGS guidelines. That label carries specific market significance for collectors and secondary market buyers.

The underlying coin itself was produced by the United States Mint to .9999 fine gold standards, the highest purity level the Mint has applied to gold coinage. We are an authorized PCGS dealer, which means our handling and presentation of certified coins aligns directly with the authentication infrastructure PCGS has built. No additional verification steps are required on the buyer's side when purchasing a PCGS-slabbed product through us.

Condition and Packaging

MS70 is the highest grade on the Sheldon scale and indicates a coin with a full, sharp strike and absolutely no contact marks, hairlines, or surface imperfections visible under 5x magnification. For a coin of this type and origin, MS70 represents the ceiling of production quality, and PCGS-certified examples at this grade carry meaningful distinctions over MS69 or lower-grade coins within the same series.

This coin ships in its original PCGS slab, which serves as both protective packaging and a sealed certificate of authenticity. The encapsulation is permanent and tamper-evident, and opening it would void the grade. No additional handling or repackaging is applied on our end. The slab itself is the delivery format, and it arrives secured for transit within appropriate protective outer packaging.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for this coin is anchored to the current spot price of gold, but the certified grade and historical significance of this release contribute a premium that goes beyond standard bullion pricing. The MS70 First Strike designation adds a numismatic layer to the pricing structure, meaning the coin trades partly on collector demand and grade scarcity in addition to its underlying metal content.

PCGS MS70 populations for any given coin are finite by definition, and for a one-time issue like the 2015 American Liberty High Relief, population reports are not expected to grow. These supply dynamics are part of what separates certified numismatic coins from generic bullion products in terms of how premiums are structured. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions for both the gold spot price and the current certified coin market.

Selling and Liquidity

The 2015-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin in PCGS MS70 First Strike is a recognized product in both the certified coin and precious metals markets. The PCGS slab provides standardized authentication that simplifies resale across auction platforms, dealer networks, and private transactions. The combination of .9999 fine gold content and a well-documented certification makes it a straightforward product for market participants to evaluate.

We operate a two-way market, meaning customers can sell back into the same ecosystem where they purchased. Buyback pricing for certified coins reflects both current gold spot prices and prevailing certified coin market demand. Understanding what a coin is likely to be worth on the sell side is part of making an informed purchase, and we structure our platform to support that kind of transparency before and after the transaction.

Why Buy the 2015-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin?

This coin occupies a genuinely distinct position in modern American numismatics. It was the first .9999 fine gold coin struck by the United States Mint, the first American coin to depict Liberty as an African American woman, and the first high-relief gold coin produced at this scale in over a century. Those characteristics are specific, documentable, and broadly recognized within the collector community, which supports continued interest in the coin beyond its metal value.

At the MS70 First Strike grade level, the coin represents the top of the certified population for this issue. For buyers focused on acquiring the finest available example of a historically significant release, PCGS MS70 is the objective ceiling. The coin also holds appeal for anyone building a set of modern United States Mint numismatic gold issues, where condition and certification consistency matter across the collection.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We hold authorized dealer status with both PCGS and NGC, which means our relationship with certified products is not incidental. It reflects a commitment to the authentication infrastructure that underpins the certified coin market and ensures every PCGS-slabbed coin we sell has passed through a chain of custody consistent with those standards. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and active memberships in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect the same long-term approach to operating with transparency and accountability.

Our platform is built around clear, real-time pricing with bid and ask spreads displayed directly on product pages. We do not structure pricing to obscure the true cost of ownership. What you see reflects current market conditions, and we believe that kind of clarity should be the standard rather than the exception. Reliable fulfillment, responsive customer support, and a two-way market that supports both buying and selling round out an experience designed for buyers who take their decisions seriously.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members direct access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing, which is particularly relevant for certified coins where premiums can shift based on changes in collector demand, PCGS population data, and broader gold market conditions. Rather than working from static retail prices, Pro members see how this coin is being priced at the wholesale level in real time, providing a clearer basis for evaluating whether current market conditions align with their acquisition goals.

Beyond live pricing, Pro members can track portfolio valuations using current wholesale bid prices, access historical premium data, and use product research tools to compare this coin against other certified gold issues across metrics like bid/ask spread tightness and premium percentile rankings. For a coin where the numismatic premium is a meaningful part of the purchase price, having access to objective market data rather than marketing claims makes a measurable difference in how confidently a decision can be made.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a wide range of payment methods to make the purchase process as straightforward as possible. Accepted options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency payments through BitPay. Each method is processed through a secure transaction environment designed to protect your information and confirm your order efficiently.

Whether you prefer the speed of a wire transfer, the familiarity of a major credit card, or the flexibility of cryptocurrency, we have structured our payment infrastructure to accommodate different preferences without adding friction to the process. Security and convenience are treated as equally important parts of every transaction.

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