Circulation Strike Circulation Strike

Circulation Strike

Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1866-1876
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.43 grams (515.99 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 16,160,758

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 19thcentury 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 is the ultra-rarity of the 1870-CC, a six-figure coins in any grade. Also making heavy demands on the checkbook is the 1871-CC.

1866 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1866 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Variety: With Motto
Circulation Mintage: 698,745
Estimated Survivors: 3,000-6,000 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1866 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST

Learn More
1867-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1867-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 920,750
Estimated Survivors: 3-5 Coins in Mint State Condition
Obverse Text:

1867 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1868-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1868-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 837,500
Estimated Survivors: 5-8 Coins in Mint State
Obverse Text:

1868 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1869 Liberty Head Double Eagle
1869 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 175,130
Estimated Survivors: 15-20 in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1869 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST

Learn More
1870-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1870-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 3,789
Estimated Survivors: 55-65 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1870 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1870-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1870-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 982,000
Obverse Text:

1870 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1871-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1871-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 17,387
Estimated Survivors: 265-315 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1871 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1872-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1872-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 26,900
Estimated Survivors: 615-685 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1872 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1873-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1873-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 22,410
Estimated Survivors: 250-350 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1873 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1874-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1874-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 115,085
Estimated Survivors: 2,000-2,500 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1874 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1875-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1875-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 111,151
Estimated Survivors: 2,800-3,600 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1875 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1875-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1875-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,230,000
Obverse Text:

1875 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1876-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
1876-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 138,441
Estimated Survivors: 3,500-4,200 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1876 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More
1876-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
1876-S Liberty Head Double Eagle
Circulation Mintage: 1,597,000
Estimated Survivors: 2,000-3,000 in Mint State
Obverse Text:

1876 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TWENTY D. | E PLURIBUS UNUM | IN GOD WE TRUST |…

Learn More

Join our mailing list

Don't miss an auction!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

 

Contact Us

West Coast Office • (800) 458-4646

Midwest Office • (800) 817-2646

East Coast Office • (800) 566-2580

info@stacksbowers.com
 

Hong Kong, China Office • +852 2117 1191

infohk@stacksbowers.com
 

Copenhagen, Denmark • +45 80 40 49 42

infodk@stacksbowers.com

Global locations

Additional representatives
available worldwide.

Follow Us




Subscribe to
Our Newsletter

We are sorry, an unexpected error occurred!
Please enter a valid email address

I'm Interested In...

Thank You!

Thank you for subscribing to the Stack's Bowers Galleries e-newsletter.