$20 Double-Eagle, St. Gaudens Type

The $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, also known as the St. Gaudens Type, is celebrated as one of the most beautiful and iconic coins ever minted by the United States. First issued in 1907, it was the product of a historic collaboration between President Theodore Roosevelt and renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who sought to elevate the artistry of American coinage. Struck through 1933, this coin marked the final era of circulating U.S. gold coins before the country abandoned the gold standard. Revered for its artistic brilliance, gold content, and historical resonance, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle holds a place of honor in American numismatics.

Key Features:

• Purity: Composed of 90% gold (21.6 karats) and 10% copper for added hardness, each $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle contains 0.9675 troy ounces of pure gold. Its durability and rich golden hue make it both visually striking and physically enduring.

• Design: The obverse features a full-length figure of Lady Liberty striding forward, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, with the Capitol building in the background and rays of sunlight radiating behind her. The reverse showcases a majestic American eagle in flight above the rising sun. This design, which broke with previous coinage conventions, represents liberty, strength, and America’s emergence on the world stage.

• Denomination: Carrying a face value of $20, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle served as the highest denomination U.S. coin in circulation at the time. It was widely used in banking and international trade, particularly in the years leading up to the Great Depression.

• Legal Tender: Issued by the United States Mint, the $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was recognized as legal tender prior to the gold recall of 1933. Though no longer used in commerce, it retains legal tender status and continues to be recognized as an official U.S. gold coin.

• Collectability: The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is widely admired by collectors for its artistic legacy and historical importance. The original 1907 high-relief issues are particularly rare and prized, while later dates, especially from the 1920s and early 1930s, can command significant premiums due to their low surviving populations. The series culminated with the famously rare 1933 issue, most examples of which were never legally released. With nearly one ounce of gold and unmatched aesthetic appeal, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle remains one of the most desirable coins in the world of classic U.S. gold.

The $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle represents the pinnacle of U.S. coin design, a majestic and enduring symbol of American ingenuity, artistry, and history.