Circulation Strike Circulation Strike

Circulation Strike

Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1850-1866
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.43 grams (515.90 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 23,526,676

With the discovery of a large quantity of gold in California in 1848 and the rush that followed, large quantities of bullion were available to the Mint, and in 1849 a pattern $20 gold coin or double eagle was struck. Production got underway the following year in both Philadelphia and New Orleans, and these were joined by San Francisco in 1854 and Carson City in 1870.

James B. Longacre’s obverse design was an enlarged version of the Liberty head he had done for the gold dollar which had debuted the previous year. The reverse pictured a heraldic eagle with an arc of rays above. The coins contained nearly a full ounce (.9675) of pure gold, and their diameter was almost exactly between a half dollar and a silver dollar. The double eagles packed substantial purchasing power and while inflation statistics over nearly two centuries can prove tricky to measure exactly, $20 in the mid 19th century would equate to around $500 today.

Three distinct types of $20 Liberties were made, distinguished by changes on the reverse of the coin. The first, made from 1850 through 1866 did not carry the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the back. The second (1866-1876) had the motto, and the denomination at the lower rim read: “TWENTY D.” In 1877, the denomination was changed to “TWENTY DOLLARS”, and this third type continued through the end of production in 1907.

A complete date and mintmark set of $20 Liberties is a daunting task, and few collectors can expect to accomplish that feat. Standing in the way are some ultra-rarities such as the 1854-O and 1856-O, both six-figure coins in any grade. Also making heavy demands on the checkbook are nearly all the other “O” mint issues up to 1861.

1850 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1850 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,170,261
Estimated Survivors: 1 Proof at Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Obverse Text:

1850 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1850-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1850-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 141,000
Estimated Survivors: 6-8 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1850 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1851 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1851 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 2,087,155
Estimated Survivors: 60-80 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1851 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1851-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1851-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 315,000
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 24 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1851 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1852 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1852 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 2,053,026
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 100 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1852 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1852-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1852-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 190,000
Estimated Survivors: 400-600 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1852 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1853 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1853 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,261,326
Estimated Survivors: 30-40 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1853 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1853/2 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1853/2 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,261,326 For All Types
Obverse Text:

1853/2 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1853-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1853-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 71,000
Estimated Survivors: Around 10 in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1853 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1854 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1854 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 757,899
Estimated Survivors: 24-36 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1854 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1854-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1854-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 3,250
Estimated Survivors: About 35 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1854 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1854-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1854-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 141,468
Estimated Survivors: 200-300 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1854 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1855 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1855 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 364,666
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 24 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1855 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1855-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1855-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 8,000
Estimated Survivors: 2 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1855 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1855-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1855-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 879,675
Estimated Survivors: 150-200 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1855 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1856 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1856 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 329,878
Estimated Survivors: 30-40 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1856 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1856-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 2,250
Estimated Survivors: 30-40 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1856 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1856-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1856-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,189,750
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 500 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1856 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1857 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1857 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 439,375
Estimated Survivors: 30-50 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1857 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1857-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1857-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 30,000
Estimated Survivors: 5-7 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1857 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1857-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1857-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 970,500
Estimated Survivors: More Than 5,000 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1857 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1858 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1858 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 211,714
Estimated Survivors: 25-35 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1858 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1858-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1858-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 35,250
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 150 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1858 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1858-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1858-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 846,710
Estimated Survivors: 24-36 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1858 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1859 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1859 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 43,597
Estimated Survivors: 6-8 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1859 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1859-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1859-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 9,100
Estimated Survivors: 2 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1859 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1859-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1859-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 636,445
Estimated Survivors: 40-50 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1859 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1860 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1860 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 577,670
Estimated Survivors: Around 100 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1860 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1860-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1860-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 6,600
Estimated Survivors: 2 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1860 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1860-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1860-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 544,950
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 24 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1860 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1861 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1861 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 2,976,453
Estimated Survivors: About 200 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1861 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1861-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
1861-O Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 17,741
Estimated Survivors: 3-5 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1861 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | O

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1861-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1861-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 768,000
Estimated Survivors: 60-80 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1861 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1861-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1861-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Variety: Paquet Reverse
Circulation Mintage: 19,250
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 200 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1861 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1862 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1862 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 92,133
Estimated Survivors: 35-50 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1862 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1862-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1862-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 854,173
Estimated Survivors: 70-80 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1862 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1863 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1863 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 142,790
Estimated Survivors: 50-55 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1863 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1863-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1863-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 966,570
Estimated Survivors: More Than 100 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1863 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1864 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1864 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 204,235
Estimated Survivors: 25-35 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1864 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1864-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1864-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 793,660
Estimated Survivors: 225-250 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1864 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1865 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1865 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 351,175
Estimated Survivors: 6-8 Coins in Proof Condition
Obverse Text:

1865 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM

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1865-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1865-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,042,500
Estimated Survivors: More Than 600 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1865 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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1866-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1866-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 120,000
Estimated Survivors: Less Than 200 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1866 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | S

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