$20 USD (Twenty Dollars)

Liberty Head Double Eagle ($20 Gold Piece)

United States of America (US Mint) · 1866–1876 (Type 2 with 'In God We Trust' and 'Twenty D.')

A large gold coin featuring a heraldic eagle on the reverse and a profile of Liberty on the obverse.

Country: United States of America (US Mint)
Year: 1866–1876 (Type 2 with 'In God We Trust' and 'Twenty D.')
Denomination: $20 USD (Twenty Dollars)
Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper (.9675 oz AGW)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified April 20, 2026More united states of america (us mint) coins →

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Overview

A large gold coin featuring a heraldic eagle on the reverse and a profile of Liberty on the obverse.

Historical significance

Designed by James B. Longacre, the Double Eagle was created following the California Gold Rush to facilitate large transactions. It is one of the most iconic pieces of American numismatics, representing 19th-century American wealth and expansion.

Obverse (front)

Lady Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet inscribed 'LIBERTY'. Surrounded by 13 stars with the date at the bottom.

Reverse (back)

Heraldic Eagle with a shield, holding an olive branch and arrows. Motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' inside an oval of rays above the eagle. Legend: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'TWENTY D.'

Estimated value

$2,200 (melt/junk) to $3,500+ for high-grade common dates; rare dates/mint marks exceed $10,000.

What drives this coin's value

Gold spot price (bullion value), mint mark rarity (especially CC), and the absence of cleaning or harsh scratches (which this example appears to have).

Grade assessment

Very Fine (VF) to Extremely Fine (XF). The coin shows significant surface marks, wear on the high points of the eagle's feathers, and potential cleaning scratches.

Mintage & rarity

Common for most San Francisco and Philadelphia issues of this era; Carson City (CC) issues are rare and highly sought after.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Verify weight (33.4g) and diameter (34.1mm) with precision tools. Check for 'bubbling' or casting pits common in fakes. Look for 'copper spots' which are often signs of genuine old gold.

Notable varieties & errors

1866-S No Motto (rare transitional), various doubled dies, and the 1870-CC (extremely rare).

Similar coins

Often confused with the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (1907-1933), which features a standing Liberty and a flying eagle.

Care & preservation

Gold is a soft metal; handle only by the edges. Never scrub or clean the coin as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free plastic flip or a specialized coin capsule to prevent scratches and 'copper spots.'