1869 Double Eagle Patterns

About This Coin

Closing out the Reconstruction Era Patterns (1866-1869) series, the 1869 Double Eagle Patterns explored alternative designs for America's largest gold denomination — the twenty-dollar piece. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, these experimental coins tested post-war coinage concepts on the double eagle format when the $20 gold piece served as the backbone of international trade. The obverse features experimental designs that challenged the dominance of the Liberty Head motif introduced in 1849, while the reverse tested various compositions including nickel and aluminum. A notable auction result of $36K in PR64 grade at Heritage Auctions reflects the premium collectors place on pattern coins for the double eagle denomination, where twenty-dollar face value, gold composition, and experimental status create intense competition. Designed by various Mint engravers, the 1869 Double Eagle Patterns represent the culmination of four years of Reconstruction-era pattern production that generated experimental designs across every denomination, leaving a remarkable body of work documenting the Mint's creative ambitions during a transformative period.