$20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle
The $20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle stands as one of the most iconic pieces of American numismatic history. Originally, the largest coin denomination authorized by the Mint Act of 1792 was the $10 Gold Eagle. However, the landscape of American coinage changed dramatically after the California Gold Rush of 1849, when vast quantities of gold were discovered at Sutter’s Mill. The abundance of gold led Congress to pass the Coinage Act of 1849, creating a new, larger denomination — the Double Eagle, with a face value of $20.
Design and Creation
The Liberty Head Double Eagle was designed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. Drawing inspiration from Christian Gobrecht’s Liberty Head motif, Longacre’s design features Lady Liberty facing left, her hair tied in a bun with a coronet inscribed “LIBERTY.” Thirteen six-pointed stars encircle her image, representing the original colonies, with the date displayed below.
The reverse of the coin showcases a powerful Heraldic Eagle with a shield on its chest, symbolizing national strength. The eagle grasps a double ribbon inscribed with “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” while an arc of rays and an oval of 13 stars appear above. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TWENTY D.” complete the design along the periphery.
Early Minting and Expansion
In 1849, Longacre produced two pattern coins, followed by the first circulation strikes in 1850. The Philadelphia Mintstruck over 1.1 million coins, while New Orleans produced an additional 141,000. By 1854, the newly established San Francisco Mint joined production, striking over 141,000 coins marked with the “S” mintmark — providing a vital service to California’s gold miners who preferred to turn raw gold into coinage locally.
The Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Series
The original coins, minted from 1849 to 1866, are known as Type 1 Liberty Head Double Eagles. In 1866, following the Civil War, Longacre modified the design to include the national motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” within the oval of stars above the eagle. These became known as the Type 2 Double Eagles.
A final modification occurred in 1877, when the denomination inscription was changed from “TWENTY D.” to “TWENTY DOLLARS.” This subtle change marked the start of the Type 3 Liberty Head Double Eagles, which remained in production until 1907, when the coin was replaced by the Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Double Eagle.
Collecting the $20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle
The $20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle remains a cornerstone for gold coin collectors. Its combination of historic significance, large gold content, and classic design make it one of the most desirable rare coins in U.S. history. Coins from early years and certain mintmarks — especially from New Orleans and San Francisco — are highly prized for their scarcity and condition.
At Bullion Shark, we specialize in offering authentic, certified Liberty Head Double Eagles graded by CAC, PCGS or NGC. Each coin in our inventory is guaranteed genuine and sourced from trusted channels. Every listing includes detailed certification data, allowing you to verify mintmark, grade, and population directly.
Buy $20 Liberty Double Eagles from Bullion Shark: Bullion Shark is is a Trusted Authorized US Mint, PCGS, CAC and NGC Dealer. We provide free, fully insured shipping on all orders with no minimum purchase. If you’re searching for a specific $20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle, our experts are here to help — contact us at 888-355-1587 or email info@bullionsharks.com for personalized assistance.
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