The twenty dollar gold coin was first minted in the midst of the California gold rush of 1849. Prior to 1850, the only gold coins issued by the U.S. Mint were in $2.50, $5.00, and $10 denominations. Congress approved the mintage of the Liberty Double Eagle gold coin, one of the largest gold coins ever offered by any country. The twenty dollar Liberty Double Eagle is sometimes called the "King of American Coins." Since the $10 gold coin was called the "Eagle," this unique coin quickly became known as the "Double Eagle." Almost an ounce of gold is contained in the $20 Liberty Double Eagle, which is part of the reason why so many coin collectors are drawn to this piece. The artistic design also makes the twenty dollar gold coin a favorite among coin collectors. The bust of Lady Liberty with the inscription of "LIBERTY" is highlighted by 13 stars, representing the original American colonies. Double Eagles minted from 1849 to 1866 had no motto, but from 1866 to 1876, "Twenty D" was inscribed on the reverse. From 1877 to 1907, the denomination "TWENTY DOLLARS" was spelled out. From 1907 until 1950, all three types were produced, making it more difficult to date these unusual coins. On the reverse side, a heraldic eagle grips an olive branch, the classic symbol of peace, while military prowess is symbolized by a bundle of arrows. The statement, "In God We Trust" is inscribed above the eagle, and "E Pluribus Unum" is inscribed on the beak of the eagle, an unusual touch for a classic sentiment. The twenty dollar gold coin is collected for its historical cache as much as its monetary value. |
