Liberty Head Double Eagle Values
How Much Liberty Head Double Eagles are Worth: Liberty Head Double Eagle Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,900 | $3,100 | $3,418 | $3,977 | $4,756 | $19,170 | $80,250 | $173,000 | $260,000 | -- |
| 1850 | O | -- | -- | $5,500 | $6,000 | $5,670 | $8,465 | $12,780 | $77,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,914 | $3,144 | $3,427 | $8,329 | $33,750 | $53,675 | $238,000 | $418,000 |
| 1851 | O | -- | -- | -- | $3,156 | $3,418 | $4,572 | $5,181 | $45,495 | $139,750 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1852 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,913 | $2,934 | $3,067 | $5,670 | $31,800 | $91,250 | $274,000 | -- |
| 1852 | O | -- | -- | -- | $3,000 | $3,833 | $5,310 | $6,970 | $34,300 | $193,750 | $192,500 | $330,000 | -- |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,026 | $3,219 | $6,140 | $39,000 | $88,500 | $224,000 | -- |
| 1853/'2' | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,500 | $3,113 | $3,920 | $4,730 | $15,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1853 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $4,620 | $7,000 | $11,460 | $49,800 | $171,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | Small Date | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,220 | $3,326 | $6,670 | $40,100 | $78,800 | $114,750 | -- |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | -- | -- | $3,778 | $5,219 | $8,800 | $22,700 | $71,900 | $112,000 | -- | -- |
| 1854 | O | 35-40 Known | -- | -- | -- | $137,500 | $272,500 | $390,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1854 | S | -- | -- | -- | $5,000 | $6,030 | $11,538 | $14,525 | $30,700 | $60,000 | $94,000 | $168,750 | -- |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,143 | $3,493 | $11,200 | $61,700 | $171,500 | $260,000 | -- |
| 1855 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $18,125 | $35,700 | $52,000 | $155,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1855 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,075 | $3,408 | $6,750 | $27,100 | $42,600 | $85,000 | $200,000 |
| 1856 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,913 | $3,143 | $3,326 | $6,280 | $18,950 | $32,100 | $48,700 | $142,500 |
| 1856 | O | 30-40 Known | -- | -- | -- | $224,000 | $307,000 | $492,000 | -- | $2,200,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,198 | $3,618 | $9,125 | $50,900 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,143 | $3,326 | $5,395 | $49,800 | $88,500 | -- | -- |
| 1857 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $6,888 | $10,238 | $15,680 | $101,000 | $285,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1857 | S | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,143 | $3,326 | $4,190 | $7,965 | $10,650 | $14,270 | $30,700 |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,043 | $3,683 | $3,993 | $10,870 | $57,000 | $88,500 | -- | -- |
| 1858 | O | -- | -- | -- | $5,940 | $8,685 | $15,280 | $21,930 | $67,500 | $198,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1858 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,184 | $3,095 | $7,305 | $57,800 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1859 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $4,480 | $8,130 | $12,780 | $33,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1859 | O | 75-100 Known | -- | $12,500 | $17,500 | $20,050 | $33,475 | $44,000 | $193,750 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1859 | S | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,143 | $3,422 | $10,210 | $95,300 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,913 | $3,143 | $3,381 | $5,530 | $26,000 | $88,500 | $155,000 | -- |
| 1860 | O | -- | -- | $12,500 | $17,500 | $23,800 | $41,800 | $57,300 | $146,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1860 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,239 | $2,877 | $7,413 | $54,200 | $85,000 | -- | -- |
| 1861 | S | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,307 | $3,843 | $16,995 | $65,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1861 | S | Paquet | -- | -- | $35,000 | $41,750 | $82,400 | $112,000 | $400,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1861 | O | -- | -- | $15,000 | $20,000 | $26,000 | $40,125 | $52,000 | $323,750 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,913 | $3,441 | $2,927 | $4,095 | $28,995 | $45,350 | $115,300 | $171,500 |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $7,550 | $15,350 | $22,000 | $42,300 | $109,250 | $160,500 | -- | -- |
| 1862 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,280 | $3,896 | $12,195 | $73,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $4,500 | $5,780 | $9,130 | $14,250 | $34,300 | $104,500 | $159,000 | -- | -- |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $4,590 | $6,830 | $9,939 | $30,700 | $85,750 | $148,000 | $285,000 | -- |
| 1864 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,914 | $3,144 | $3,695 | $8,465 | $57,250 | $94,000 | $143,000 | -- |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,913 | $3,052 | $4,093 | $8,960 | $23,995 | $43,895 | $106,500 | -- |
| 1865 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $3,241 | $3,225 | $3,493 | $7,000 | $15,625 | $26,550 | $40,650 | $72,200 |
| 1866 | S | Motto | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,846 | $3,389 | $3,650 | $13,170 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | Motto | -- | -- | $2,400 | $2,860 | $3,155 | $3,966 | $10,100 | $63,900 | $168,750 | -- | -- |
| 1866 | S | No Motto | -- | -- | $9,125 | $13,000 | $22,550 | $30,700 | $177,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,796 | $2,975 | $3,460 | $6,610 | $49,995 | $60,000 | $250,000 | $400,000 |
| 1867 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $3,172 | $9,675 | $82,100 | $164,000 | -- | -- |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,081 | $5,559 | $8,730 | $24,600 | $79,900 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1868 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $3,106 | $6,830 | $48,400 | $74,800 | -- | -- |
| 1869 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,846 | $3,002 | $3,881 | $13,275 | $43,425 | $91,250 | $207,500 | $225,500 |
| 1869 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,844 | $6,275 | $36,500 | $77,700 | -- | -- |
| 1870 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,906 | $5,170 | $67,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,192 | $3,515 | $4,725 | $13,370 | $56,150 | $100,000 | -- | -- |
| 1870 | CC | 40-50 Known | -- | -- | -- | $341,500 | $467,500 | $940,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,874 | $3,500 | $4,920 | $13,000 | $52,000 | $93,500 | -- | -- |
| 1871 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $40,100 | $52,850 | $71,900 | $159,000 | $330,000 | $495,000 | -- | -- |
| 1871 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,981 | $5,085 | $32,125 | $145,500 | $198,000 | -- |
| 1872 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,906 | $5,255 | $36,995 | $67,750 | -- | -- |
| 1872 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $6,880 | $12,560 | $17,260 | $109,250 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1872 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,906 | $4,065 | $35,950 | $74,100 | -- | -- |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Closed 3 | -- | -- | -- | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,995 | $6,550 | $59,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Open 3 | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,785 | $2,902 | $5,939 | $28,980 | $207,500 | -- |
| 1873 | CC | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,906 | $3,755 | $28,100 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1873 | S | Open 3 | -- | -- | -- | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,981 | $7,475 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1874 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,718 | $4,252 | $24,900 | $52,000 | -- | -- |
| 1874 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $2,750 | $3,456 | $5,559 | $6,335 | $23,100 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1875 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,906 | $3,477 | $11,200 | $70,500 | $247,500 | $412,500 |
| 1875 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,100 | $3,456 | $4,245 | $6,439 | $10,870 | $40,250 | $78,000 | -- | -- |
| 1875 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,813 | $2,913 | $9,290 | $30,850 | $207,500 | $312,750 |
| 1876 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,906 | $3,395 | $7,860 | $41,500 | $207,500 | -- |
| 1876 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,000 | $3,636 | $4,480 | $5,475 | $11,475 | $48,400 | $93,500 | -- | -- |
| 1876 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,796 | $2,850 | $2,850 | $3,160 | $8,889 | $44,250 | $250,000 | -- |
| 1877 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,840 | $3,098 | $13,000 | $35,400 | -- | -- |
| 1877 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,044 | $3,378 | $6,750 | $9,570 | $31,125 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1878 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,109 | $12,450 | $41,500 | -- | -- |
| 1878 | CC | -- | -- | $5,500 | $6,800 | $8,350 | $15,625 | $23,800 | $87,400 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1878 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,872 | $2,973 | $15,940 | $50,900 | -- | -- |
| 1879 | O | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,091 | $3,736 | $22,250 | $38,400 | $94,000 | -- |
| 1879 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $3,081 | $2,868 | $3,376 | $34,300 | $80,750 | -- | -- |
| 1880 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,300 | $2,763 | $2,839 | $3,200 | $11,200 | $60,995 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1880 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,680 | $2,757 | $4,013 | $20,200 | $63,400 | $124,500 | $189,500 |
| 1881 | (None) Phil | 40-60 Known | -- | -- | -- | $28,200 | $40,650 | $58,600 | $135,300 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1881 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,389 | $23,800 | $55,000 | -- | -- |
| 1882 | (None) Phil | 25-35 Known | -- | -- | -- | $49,500 | $90,700 | $127,250 | $184,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1882 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,072 | $3,595 | $4,950 | $7,190 | $15,610 | $139,750 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1882 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,081 | $3,112 | $13,480 | $36,550 | $85,000 | -- |
| 1883 | CC | -- | -- | $2,900 | $3,322 | $3,628 | $4,785 | $6,250 | $12,495 | $104,495 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1883 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,031 | $3,095 | $5,795 | $15,280 | -- | -- |
| 1884 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,669 | $3,053 | $5,475 | $13,370 | $52,000 | -- |
| 1884 | CC | -- | -- | $2,750 | $3,142 | $3,420 | $4,086 | $5,365 | $10,540 | $77,995 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1885 | (None) Phil | About 100 Known | -- | -- | -- | $22,400 | $35,400 | $56,700 | $96,800 | $159,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1885 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $7,500 | $8,350 | $17,700 | $24,625 | $39,850 | $214,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1885 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,705 | $3,098 | $5,170 | $10,285 | $54,200 | -- |
| 1886 | (None) Phil | 40-60 Known | -- | -- | -- | $44,250 | $80,750 | $101,500 | $164,000 | $165,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1887 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,112 | $9,598 | $27,100 | $44,250 | -- |
| 1888 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,109 | $13,000 | $21,300 | $64,300 | -- |
| 1888 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,091 | $2,973 | $5,126 | $10,340 | $35,400 | -- |
| 1889 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,061 | $2,973 | $4,480 | $10,375 | $30,700 | -- |
| 1889 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,419 | $4,003 | $5,295 | $7,410 | $14,030 | $91,495 | $120,100 | -- | -- |
| 1889 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,840 | $3,528 | $18,525 | $49,300 | -- | -- |
| 1890 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,514 | $12,450 | $26,000 | $58,400 | $72,600 |
| 1890 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,245 | $3,496 | $4,077 | $4,595 | $8,630 | $48,400 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1890 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,746 | $3,098 | $5,973 | $10,430 | $31,250 | $75,000 |
| 1891 | (None) Phil | About 100 Known | -- | -- | -- | $23,625 | $34,000 | $49,500 | $83,000 | $161,750 | $229,500 | -- | -- |
| 1891 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $13,640 | $16,450 | $26,550 | $33,750 | $51,500 | $195,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1891 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,746 | $2,973 | $4,294 | $7,409 | $32,625 | -- |
| 1892 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,041 | $2,973 | $3,780 | $7,000 | $29,495 | $56,150 |
| 1892 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $5,720 | $8,570 | $11,365 | $24,900 | $44,800 | $58,900 | $84,100 | $108,700 |
| 1892 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,490 | $3,403 | $4,565 | $6,140 | $13,060 | $72,000 | $112,000 | -- | -- |
| 1893 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,061 | $2,848 | $4,341 | $6,913 | $40,000 | -- |
| 1893 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,850 | $4,450 | $6,470 | $7,880 | $15,075 | $71,995 | $91,250 | -- | -- |
| 1893 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,041 | $3,098 | $4,005 | $10,320 | $46,500 | -- |
| 1894 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,061 | $2,794 | $3,255 | $6,220 | $27,800 | $37,400 |
| 1894 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,081 | $2,848 | $4,315 | $5,450 | $33,050 | -- |
| 1895 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,721 | $2,945 | $4,480 | $21,995 | -- |
| 1895 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,041 | $2,848 | $3,577 | $5,808 | $20,350 | $50,000 |
| 1896 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,751 | $2,848 | $3,594 | $4,840 | $19,775 | -- |
| 1896 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,778 | $2,693 | $3,977 | $5,615 | $31,250 | $100,000 |
| 1897 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,721 | $2,739 | $3,282 | $4,675 | $23,650 | -- |
| 1897 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,101 | $2,848 | $2,865 | $4,315 | $17,260 | $38,200 |
| 1898 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,788 | $2,814 | $2,746 | $3,258 | $4,893 | $11,860 | -- | -- |
| 1898 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,787 | $2,848 | $2,624 | $3,595 | $8,575 | $33,200 |
| 1899 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,175 | $2,714 | $3,041 | $2,728 | $2,952 | $3,538 | $7,867 | $32,500 |
| 1899 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,031 | $2,804 | $3,395 | $4,730 | $28,500 | $65,000 |
| 1900 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,051 | $2,848 | $3,100 | $6,200 | $29,600 | $61,700 |
| 1900 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $2,817 | $3,046 | $5,200 | $22,825 |
| 1901 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $2,938 | $3,458 | $9,995 | $28,500 |
| 1901 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,091 | $2,719 | $3,880 | $6,665 | $29,900 | $100,000 |
| 1902 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,840 | $3,556 | $14,100 | $40,700 | $85,750 | $150,000 |
| 1902 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,751 | $2,898 | $4,978 | $10,870 | $34,300 | $65,000 |
| 1903 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $2,838 | $2,851 | $4,923 | $19,430 |
| 1903 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $3,676 | $4,535 | $14,700 | $40,000 |
| 1904 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $4,169 | $3,187 | $5,209 | $23,495 |
| 1904 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $3,829 | $4,119 | $4,166 | $8,093 |
| 1905 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,659 | $13,865 | $35,400 | $112,875 | -- |
| 1905 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $3,061 | $2,848 | $3,795 | $5,530 | $33,495 | $100,000 |
| 1906 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $3,126 | $9,109 | $19,650 | $36,800 | $80,450 |
| 1906 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,848 | $4,564 | $6,360 | $21,495 | $124,500 |
| 1906 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,811 | $2,848 | $3,296 | $7,219 | $22,550 | $103,750 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,740 | $2,823 | $3,341 | $3,953 | $17,150 | $44,000 |
| 1907 | D | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,786 | $2,848 | $4,029 | $5,090 | $9,125 | $25,995 |
| 1907 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,700 | $2,714 | $2,666 | $2,848 | $4,200 | $4,579 | $24,350 | -- |
Liberty Head Double Eagle: America’s First $20 Coin
The Liberty Head Double Eagle, minted from 1849 to 1907, was the first $20 gold coin issued by the United States Mint. Designed by James B. Longacre, this coin was authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. However, it was officially introduced as a direct result of the California Gold Rush, which dramatically increased the nation’s gold supply. With its large size, high gold content, and nearly 60 years of production, the Liberty Head Double Eagle is one of the most important and widely collected gold coins in American numismatics.
A Design That Defined an Era
The obverse of the Liberty Head Double Eagle features Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY.” Sometimes referred to as the ‘Coronet Head’ Liberty, she is surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original colonies. The reverse showcases a heraldic eagle with a shield, holding arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing strength and peace. Above the eagle, the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is prominently displayed, with the coin’s $20 denomination below.
Over its long production period, the design underwent three key modifications:
- 1849–1866: No Motto Variety – The earliest issues did not include the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
- 1866–1876: With Motto Variety – “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added above the eagle following the Civil War, reflecting the nation’s religious sentiment.
- 1877–1907: Revised Reverse—In 1877, the denomination was updated from “TWENTY D.” to “TWENTY DOLLARS.”
The very first Liberty Head Double Eagle was struck in 1849, but only two examples were made One resides in the Smithsonian, while the other was presented to then-Secretary of the Treasury William M. Meredith. It was later sold from his estate.
A Gold Coin That Transformed American Commerce
Before the introduction of the Liberty Head Double Eagle, gold coins in circulation were limited to $10 and lower denominations. The discovery of massive gold deposits in California made it possible to strike larger denominations, facilitating high-value transactions, banking reserves, and international trade.
Where to Find These Coins
Many circulated examples exist, but high-grade, uncirculated specimens are significantly rarer. Coins struck at branch mints—particularly Carson City (CC) and New Orleans (O)—are highly desirable. Liberty Head Double Eagles frequently appear in estate collections, numismatic auctions, and investment portfolios.
What to Look For:
- Sharp details in Liberty’s hair and coronet.
- Full feather definition on the eagle’s wings and shield.
- Minimal surface marks, as large gold coins often exhibit heavy bag marks from storage.
Key Dates and Rare Issues
Several issues in the Liberty Head Double Eagle series stand out as particularly rare or valuable:
- 1854-O Liberty Head Double Eagle – Struck in extremely low numbers at the New Orleans Mint, making it one of the scarcest in the series.
- 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle—This is a rare variety featuring a modified reverse designed by Anthony C. Paquet, with only a handful of known examples.
- 1870-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle – The first Carson City (CC) Mint issue, one of the most desirable coins in U.S. numismatics.
- 1882 Liberty Head Double Eagle – A low-mintage Philadelphia issue that collectors highly seek.
Errors and Collectible Varieties:
- Some coins exhibit weak strikes due to inconsistencies in minting techniques at certain branch mints.
- Overdates and repunched mintmarks appear on several issues, adding an extra layer of collectibility.
The Impact of the 1933 Gold Recall
The Liberty Head Double Eagle circulated widely until 1933, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order requiring Americans to turn in their gold coins to the government. Many Double Eagles were melted down, reducing the surviving population and increasing their rarity today.
Why This Coin Remains Highly Collectible
- It played a critical role in high-value transactions and global trade.
- Surviving examples from low-mintage years are highly valuable.
- It represents one of the most iconic designs in American gold coinage.
- Its 90% gold content and pre-1933 status give it intrinsic and numismatic value.
Why Buy Liberty Head Double Eagles?
The Liberty Head Double Eagle is a symbol of America’s wealth and economic growth during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Whether sought for its historical significance, investment value, or aesthetic appeal, this coin remains a favorite among collectors and investors alike. While its gold content makes it appealing to some investors, the numismatic value of pre-1933 gold sets the stage for future appreciation.