Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907

About This Series

The largest regular-issue American gold coin at $20 face value, the double eagle was born from the California Gold Rush that made a large gold denomination both practical and necessary. James B. Longacre's obverse features Liberty wearing a coronet with a heraldic eagle reverse. Three major subtypes define the series: Type I (1849-1866) without motto, Type II (1866-1876) with IN GOD WE TRUST and TWENTY D. denomination, and Type III (1877-1907) spelling out TWENTY DOLLARS. Struck in .900 fine gold at 33.436 grams and 34 mm across five mints — Philadelphia, San Francisco, Carson City, Denver, and New Orleans. The 1849 pattern in the Smithsonian is unique and arguably the most valuable coin in existence. Carson City double eagles from 1870-1893 are among the most popular gold coins, their CC mintmark evoking the Comstock Lode frontier. Massive quantities survived in European bank vaults as international trade coins, and their repatriation made many dates surprisingly available in uncirculated condition.