$20 Double-Eagle, Liberty Type

The $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle is one of the most iconic and historically significant gold coins ever produced by the United States Mint. First authorized by the Coinage Act of 1849 in response to the California Gold Rush, the Liberty Double Eagle served as the highest denomination circulating U.S. gold coin of its time. Minted from 1850 to 1907, it features a classical design by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre and was struck in large quantities at several U.S. Mint facilities, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Carson City. With its substantial gold content and deep roots in American monetary history, the $20 Liberty Double Eagle holds a central place in both bullion and numismatic circles.

Key Features:

• Purity: Each $20 Liberty Double Eagle is composed of 90% gold (21.6 karats) and 10% copper, giving it both a rich golden hue and improved durability. Each coin contains 0.9675 troy ounces of pure gold, making it one of the most substantial U.S. gold coins ever issued for circulation.

• Design: The obverse features a left-facing bust of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with the word “LIBERTY,” surrounded by 13 stars representing the original colonies. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and arrows, with a shield on its chest and the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TWENTY D.” (later changed to “TWENTY DOLLARS” in 1877). The overall design reflects the neoclassical style popular in mid-19th-century American coinage.

• Denomination: The coin carries a face value of $20, which was a significant sum at the time of issue. It was commonly used in large financial transactions, especially in the West during and after the Gold Rush. Despite being legal tender, its intrinsic gold value far exceeded its stated denomination then—as it does now.

• Legal Tender: Issued as legal tender by the U.S. Mint, the Liberty Double Eagle played an essential role in American commerce and banking throughout the 19th century. Although it no longer circulates, it remains recognized as a genuine and historically important U.S. gold coin.

• Collectability: The $20 Liberty Double Eagle is highly sought after for its impressive size, classic design, and historical significance. Coins from certain years and mints—particularly Carson City and New Orleans—are rarer and command premiums on the collector market. Whether circulated or mint-state, each coin carries the legacy of westward expansion, economic growth, and the evolving identity of the United States. Collectors value these coins both for their substantial gold content and their role in one of the most transformative periods in American history.

With its majestic design, nearly one full ounce of gold, and direct ties to the Gold Rush era, the $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle remains a centerpiece of American numismatics.