$20 Liberty Double Eagle

$20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles (1850–1907)

The $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle, produced from 1850 through 1907, represents an important chapter in American monetary history. Introduced during the California Gold Rush, these historic Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins became an important part of American commerce and international trade.

Designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, the Liberty Double Eagle remained in production for nearly six decades, spanning the expansion of the American West, the Civil War, and the nation's transformation into a major economic power.

Today, collectors appreciate $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles for their historical significance, gold content, distinctive design varieties, and the wide range of dates and mintmarks produced between 1850 and 1907.

The California Gold Rush and the Birth of the Double Eagle

When the Coinage Act of 1792 established the United States monetary system, the $10 Gold Eagle was the highest gold denomination authorized for production.

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848 dramatically increased the nation's gold supply and created a need for larger gold coins. In response, Congress passed the Coinage Act of March 3, 1849, authorizing the $20 Double Eagle and the $1 Gold Dollar.

James B. Longacre, then Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, developed the new Double Eagle design. Although experimental pieces were struck in 1849, regular production began in 1850 at the Philadelphia and New Orleans Mints.

The Double Eagle quickly became an important denomination for banking, large commercial transactions, and the movement of gold domestically and internationally.

The $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Design

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with the word "LIBERTY." Her hair is arranged in a bun, with curls extending along her neck. Thirteen stars surround the portrait, representing the original American colonies, while the date appears below.

The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings and a shield across its breast. The eagle holds arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing the nation's readiness for defense and desire for peace.

A ribbon bearing the inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM" extends around the eagle, while thirteen stars and rays appear above. The inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" surrounds the upper portion of the design, with the denomination displayed below.

Although the overall Liberty design remained recognizable throughout its production, several important modifications created three distinct varieties collected today.

Three Types of $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles

Type 1: No Motto (1850–1866)

The original Liberty Double Eagle design did not include the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST." These early issues circulated during the California Gold Rush and the Civil War, making them especially significant to collectors of nineteenth-century American gold.

Type 1 Double Eagles were produced at Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Certain early dates and branch-mint issues are particularly scarce, especially in higher grades.

Type 2: With Motto, TWENTY D. (1866–1876)

In 1866, the U.S. Mint modified the reverse to include "IN GOD WE TRUST" within the oval of stars above the eagle.

The denomination continued to appear as "TWENTY D." at the bottom of the reverse. This variety reflects the growing use of religious inscriptions on American coinage following the Civil War.

Type 2 Double Eagles were produced at Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City, with Carson City issues holding particular interest for collectors of Western American coinage.

Type 3: With Motto, TWENTY DOLLARS (1877–1907)

In 1877, the Mint made another modification, changing the denomination from "TWENTY D." to "TWENTY DOLLARS."

The revised design remained in production until 1907, when the Liberty Double Eagle was replaced by Augustus Saint-Gaudens' celebrated $20 gold coin design.

Type 3 Double Eagles were struck at Philadelphia, Carson City, San Francisco, Denver, and New Orleans, offering collectors a broad selection of dates, mintmarks, and surviving grades.

Historic U.S. Mints and Liberty Gold Double Eagles

The Liberty Double Eagle was produced at five United States Mint facilities during its long history.

Philadelphia began regular production in 1850, followed by New Orleans, which produced early issues associated with the expansion of the American gold economy.

The San Francisco Mint began striking Double Eagles in 1854, providing a vital service to the rapidly growing California economy by converting locally mined gold into coinage.

Carson City began producing Double Eagles in 1870, creating coins closely associated with the Comstock Lode and Nevada's mining history. Many Carson City issues are especially desirable among collectors today.

Denver joined production in 1906, near the end of the Liberty series.

Together, these five mints produced a remarkable variety of historic American gold coins spanning nearly six decades.

Collecting Certified $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles

Liberty Gold Double Eagles remain an important category within Pre-1933 U.S. gold coin collecting. Collectors pursue these coins by date, mintmark, design type, condition, and surviving population.

While some dates are more readily available, others are significant numismatic rarities. Early New Orleans issues, Carson City Double Eagles, and certain low-survival dates are especially notable for their scarcity and historical significance.

Professional certification by PCGS, NGC, and CAC provides independent authentication and grading, helping collectors evaluate individual coins and their condition.

Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coin Specifications

• Years of Issue: 1850–1907

• Designer: James B. Longacre

• Denomination: $20 Double Eagle

• Composition: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

• Gold Content: 0.9675 Troy Ounce

• Weight: 33.436 Grams

• Diameter: Approximately 34 mm

• Mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC), Denver (D)

• Edge: Reeded

• Design Types: Type 1 No Motto, Type 2 With Motto, Type 3 With Motto and TWENTY DOLLARS

Explore $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles at LCR Coin

Explore our selection of certified $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles, featuring historic Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins from one of America's longest-running gold coin series.

From early Gold Rush-era issues to Carson City rarities and later Type 3 examples, Liberty Gold Double Eagles offer collectors an opportunity to own a tangible piece of nineteenth-century American history.

Browse our current inventory of $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles and discover the craftsmanship, history, and collecting appeal of these classic American gold coins.