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 | $3,070 | $2,995 | $4,950 | $21,150 | $84,650 | $178,500 | $260,000 | -- |
| 1850 | O | -- | -- | $5,500 | $6,000 | $5,670 | $8,465 | $12,615 | $77,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,883 | $3,381 | $7,300 | $35,400 | $60,000 | $238,000 | $418,000 |
| 1851 | O | -- | -- | -- | $2,820 | $3,180 | $4,895 | $6,390 | $35,150 | $148,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1852 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,544 | $2,651 | $2,886 | $5,670 | $30,700 | $91,250 | $274,000 | -- |
| 1852 | O | -- | -- | -- | $3,000 | $3,540 | $7,219 | $7,080 | $34,300 | $193,750 | $192,500 | $330,000 | -- |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,833 | $2,872 | $5,995 | $40,980 | $88,500 | $224,000 | -- |
| 1853/'2' | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,500 | $2,744 | $3,219 | $4,730 | $15,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1853 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $4,620 | $7,440 | $12,588 | $49,800 | $171,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | Small Date | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $2,850 | $6,670 | $40,100 | $78,800 | $114,750 | -- |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | Large Date | -- | -- | -- | $3,540 | $6,000 | $9,295 | $23,250 | $71,900 | $112,000 | -- | -- |
| 1854 | O | 35-40 Known | -- | -- | -- | $137,500 | $272,500 | $390,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1854 | S | -- | -- | -- | $5,000 | $6,030 | $11,950 | $15,625 | $30,700 | $60,000 | $94,000 | $168,750 | -- |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $3,145 | $11,200 | $63,900 | $171,500 | $260,000 | -- |
| 1855 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $18,125 | $39,000 | $60,545 | $160,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1855 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $2,933 | $6,750 | $27,100 | $42,600 | $85,000 | $200,000 |
| 1856 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,544 | $2,804 | $3,009 | $6,830 | $19,830 | $31,000 | $48,700 | $142,500 |
| 1856 | O | 30-40 Known | -- | -- | -- | $213,000 | $298,750 | $428,750 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $3,219 | $9,125 | $50,900 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $2,895 | $5,395 | $49,800 | $88,500 | -- | -- |
| 1857 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $6,888 | $11,475 | $15,625 | $101,000 | $285,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1857 | S | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $6,559 | $3,695 | $7,690 | $10,320 | $13,775 | $27,000 |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,674 | $3,415 | $3,849 | $11,200 | $59,200 | $88,500 | -- | -- |
| 1858 | O | -- | -- | -- | $5,940 | $8,685 | $14,950 | $21,050 | $67,500 | $198,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1858 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,783 | $2,939 | $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 | $39,995 | $45,650 | $193,750 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1859 | S | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,883 | $2,804 | $3,106 | $10,045 | $95,300 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,544 | $3,033 | $3,064 | $5,310 | $24,350 | $88,500 | $155,000 | -- |
| 1860 | O | -- | -- | $12,500 | $17,500 | $23,800 | $45,100 | $59,500 | $146,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1860 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,930 | $3,290 | $7,990 | $54,200 | $85,000 | -- | -- |
| 1861 | S | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,935 | $3,595 | $16,995 | $65,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1861 | S | Paquet | -- | -- | $35,000 | $41,750 | $84,600 | $117,500 | $400,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1861 | O | -- | -- | $15,000 | $20,000 | $26,000 | $40,125 | $50,900 | $318,250 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,544 | $2,804 | $3,022 | $4,925 | $27,100 | $45,350 | $112,000 | $171,500 |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $7,550 | $15,350 | $24,750 | $42,300 | $116,400 | $163,800 | -- | -- |
| 1862 | S | -- | -- | $3,495 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,942 | $3,595 | $12,195 | $70,800 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $4,500 | $5,780 | $9,130 | $14,250 | $33,750 | $104,500 | $159,000 | -- | -- |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $4,370 | $6,500 | $9,939 | $29,600 | $86,300 | $148,000 | $290,500 | -- |
| 1864 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,804 | $3,305 | $8,850 | $58,900 | $91,250 | $143,000 | -- |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,425 | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,935 | $3,845 | $9,125 | $34,995 | $32,100 | $106,500 | -- |
| 1865 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,475 | $2,544 | $2,870 | $3,145 | $7,330 | $25,995 | $26,000 | $46,995 | $70,000 |
| 1866 | S | Motto | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,477 | $2,763 | $3,430 | $14,050 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | Motto | -- | -- | $2,400 | $2,491 | $2,791 | $3,818 | $10,650 | $63,900 | $168,750 | -- | -- |
| 1866 | S | No Motto | -- | -- | $9,125 | $13,000 | $23,650 | $31,800 | $177,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,427 | $2,611 | $3,098 | $6,610 | $35,995 | $60,000 | $250,000 | $400,000 |
| 1867 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,533 | $2,810 | $9,125 | $85,000 | $185,000 | -- | -- |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,602 | $3,650 | $8,675 | $21,300 | $72,750 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1868 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,783 | $6,830 | $48,400 | $74,800 | -- | -- |
| 1869 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,477 | $2,638 | $3,540 | $13,000 | $44,800 | $91,250 | $207,500 | $225,500 |
| 1869 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,652 | $6,275 | $36,500 | $77,700 | -- | -- |
| 1870 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,463 | $2,271 | $5,060 | $67,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,454 | $3,206 | $4,725 | $13,975 | $56,150 | $100,000 | -- | -- |
| 1870 | CC | 40-50 Known | -- | -- | -- | $341,500 | $495,000 | $940,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,491 | $2,945 | $4,810 | $13,000 | $52,000 | $93,500 | -- | -- |
| 1871 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $40,100 | $53,400 | $74,100 | $159,000 | $330,000 | $495,000 | -- | -- |
| 1871 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,619 | $5,085 | $32,125 | $145,500 | $198,000 | -- |
| 1872 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,544 | $5,255 | $36,995 | $67,750 | -- | -- |
| 1872 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $5,780 | $12,450 | $16,875 | $117,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1872 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,433 | $2,544 | $4,065 | $33,200 | $73,000 | -- | -- |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Closed 3 | -- | -- | -- | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,633 | $6,550 | $59,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Open 3 | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,423 | $2,795 | $6,610 | $30,630 | $207,500 | -- |
| 1873 | CC | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,733 | $3,409 | $28,100 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1873 | S | Open 3 | -- | -- | -- | $2,427 | $2,203 | $2,483 | $7,287 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1874 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,330 | $4,109 | $24,900 | $52,000 | -- | -- |
| 1874 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $2,750 | $3,180 | $4,395 | $5,878 | $22,550 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1875 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,486 | $2,329 | $3,131 | $10,650 | $65,000 | -- | -- |
| 1875 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,100 | $3,125 | $4,190 | $4,950 | $11,750 | $41,350 | $78,000 | -- | -- |
| 1875 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,433 | $2,340 | $3,159 | $9,290 | $33,050 | $207,500 | $312,750 |
| 1876 | S | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,433 | $2,300 | $3,179 | $7,860 | $41,500 | $207,500 | -- |
| 1876 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,000 | $3,443 | $4,480 | $5,695 | $11,995 | $48,400 | $93,500 | -- | -- |
| 1876 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,350 | $2,375 | $2,427 | $2,265 | $2,437 | $3,609 | $9,125 | $44,250 | $250,000 | -- |
| 1877 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,480 | $2,731 | $14,100 | $35,400 | -- | -- |
| 1877 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $2,750 | $3,000 | $6,308 | $9,829 | $34,150 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1878 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,433 | $3,293 | $13,550 | $41,500 | -- | -- |
| 1878 | CC | -- | -- | $5,500 | $6,800 | $8,350 | $16,175 | $26,000 | $87,400 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1878 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,393 | $2,453 | $2,939 | $16,875 | $50,900 | -- | -- |
| 1879 | O | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,422 | $3,540 | $20,325 | $31,800 | $80,800 | -- |
| 1879 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,795 | $34,300 | $80,750 | -- | -- |
| 1880 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,300 | $2,402 | $2,478 | $2,840 | $11,200 | $46,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1880 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,373 | $2,380 | $3,995 | $21,300 | $63,400 | $124,500 | $189,500 |
| 1881 | (None) Phil | 40-60 Known | -- | -- | -- | $28,200 | $40,650 | $57,500 | $148,500 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1881 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $3,022 | $23,525 | $55,000 | -- | -- |
| 1882 | (None) Phil | 25-35 Known | -- | -- | -- | $49,500 | $90,700 | $135,500 | $203,250 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1882 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $2,750 | $3,138 | $4,950 | $7,300 | $16,875 | $139,750 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1882 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,393 | $2,745 | $13,480 | $36,550 | $85,000 | -- |
| 1883 | CC | -- | -- | $2,900 | $3,250 | $3,305 | $4,868 | $6,250 | $13,495 | $71,400 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1883 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,606 | $6,525 | $17,700 | -- | -- |
| 1884 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,287 | $2,495 | $5,365 | $14,525 | $52,000 | -- |
| 1884 | CC | -- | -- | $2,750 | $3,000 | $3,180 | $4,010 | $5,365 | $10,980 | $80,495 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1885 | (None) Phil | About 100 Known | -- | -- | -- | $22,400 | $35,400 | $56,700 | $96,800 | $159,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1885 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $7,500 | $8,350 | $17,700 | $27,375 | $42,600 | $203,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1885 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,355 | $2,731 | $5,115 | $10,285 | $54,200 | -- |
| 1886 | (None) Phil | 40-60 Known | -- | -- | -- | $44,250 | $80,750 | $101,500 | $164,000 | $165,000 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1887 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,745 | $9,240 | $27,100 | $44,250 | -- |
| 1888 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,533 | $2,742 | $13,275 | $21,300 | $64,300 | -- |
| 1888 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,606 | $5,338 | $10,340 | $35,400 | -- |
| 1889 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,606 | $4,343 | $10,375 | $30,700 | -- |
| 1889 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,500 | $3,818 | $5,295 | $7,410 | $14,525 | $77,500 | $119,000 | -- | -- |
| 1889 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,480 | $3,195 | $18,085 | $48,750 | -- | -- |
| 1890 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $3,117 | $11,955 | $26,000 | $58,400 | $72,600 |
| 1890 | CC | -- | -- | -- | $3,000 | $3,070 | $3,900 | $5,145 | $9,213 | $49,500 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1890 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,731 | $5,450 | $10,430 | $31,250 | $75,000 |
| 1891 | (None) Phil | About 100 Known | -- | -- | -- | $24,450 | $35,650 | $50,875 | $89,600 | $161,750 | $229,500 | -- | -- |
| 1891 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $16,450 | $26,550 | $34,850 | $54,800 | $214,250 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1891 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,606 | $4,195 | $7,409 | $32,625 | -- |
| 1892 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $3,139 | $4,150 | $7,000 | $30,150 | $56,150 |
| 1892 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $4,950 | $8,130 | $11,200 | $26,000 | $45,900 | $61,100 | $85,200 | $108,700 |
| 1892 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,945 | $4,590 | $6,140 | $14,325 | $72,000 | $103,750 | -- | -- |
| 1893 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,423 | $2,481 | $3,800 | $6,253 | $40,000 | -- |
| 1893 | CC | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,900 | $6,250 | $7,995 | $15,350 | $62,750 | $94,000 | -- | -- |
| 1893 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,731 | $3,763 | $10,540 | $46,500 | -- |
| 1894 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,236 | $3,584 | $7,220 | $30,000 | -- |
| 1894 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,409 | $4,288 | $4,995 | $33,050 | -- |
| 1895 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,393 | $2,262 | $2,594 | $4,480 | $21,995 | -- |
| 1895 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $4,370 | $5,808 | $20,350 | $50,000 |
| 1896 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $4,684 | $4,950 | $19,775 | -- |
| 1896 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $3,900 | $5,615 | $31,250 | $100,000 |
| 1897 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,292 | $3,995 | $3,829 | $23,650 | -- |
| 1897 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $3,889 | $4,095 | $17,700 | $50,000 |
| 1898 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,427 | $2,453 | $2,480 | $2,854 | $4,700 | $11,860 | -- | -- |
| 1898 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,423 | $2,481 | $3,086 | $3,241 | $8,575 | $33,200 |
| 1899 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,454 | $2,353 | $2,305 | $2,308 | $2,709 | $3,208 | $8,300 | $32,500 |
| 1899 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,453 | $2,481 | $4,439 | $4,840 | $28,500 | $65,000 |
| 1900 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $3,583 | $9,995 | $29,600 | $61,700 |
| 1900 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $2,624 | $4,009 | $4,870 | $22,825 |
| 1901 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,433 | $2,481 | $2,695 | $3,295 | $6,185 | $26,300 |
| 1901 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $3,229 | $6,665 | $29,900 | $100,000 |
| 1902 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,480 | $3,189 | $14,100 | $40,700 | $85,750 | $150,000 |
| 1902 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,531 | $4,730 | $10,495 | $34,300 | $65,000 |
| 1903 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $2,422 | $3,048 | $4,648 | $21,300 |
| 1903 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,373 | $2,481 | $3,121 | $4,590 | $18,400 | $40,000 |
| 1904 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $3,149 | $2,877 | $7,774 | $24,995 |
| 1904 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $2,413 | $2,901 | $7,529 | $7,995 |
| 1905 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $3,540 | $13,920 | $35,400 | $112,875 | -- |
| 1905 | S | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,393 | $2,481 | $3,195 | $5,530 | $23,800 | $100,000 |
| 1906 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,423 | $2,759 | $9,565 | $19,650 | $36,800 | $80,450 |
| 1906 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,481 | $4,700 | $6,360 | $24,625 | $124,500 |
| 1906 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,320 | $2,481 | $3,665 | $5,035 | $22,550 | $103,750 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,380 | $2,346 | $3,339 | $3,551 | $16,050 | -- |
| 1907 | D | -- | -- | $2,200 | $2,200 | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,302 | $2,481 | $3,995 | $5,090 | $9,125 | $23,500 |
| 1907 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,340 | $2,353 | $2,235 | $2,481 | $3,195 | $5,200 | $26,000 | -- |
Description and History
The eagle was one of the classic denominations of U.S. coinage, created in the Coinage Act of 1792. Its subsidiary denominations the quarter and half eagle were commonly coined from the beginning of U.S. coinage through the early 20th century. The double eagle was struck from the 1850s through the early 20th century.
The Liberty Head double eagle ran from 1849 to 1907. The Liberty head design was also known as the “Coronet Head”, and it was created by James B. Longacre.
Liberty Twenty Dollar Gold Coin Design
Gold coins were mandated by the Coinage Act of 1792, with the quarter eagle, half eagle and eagle finding their genesis in that act. These coins were struck from 90% Gold and 10% Copper. The eagle had worked for years, but the double eagle was only authorized after the California Gold Rush. Gold stockpiles grew dramatically and support for a bigger denomination was strong. A bill to create a Gold dollar and double eagle passed Congress in 1849 and the Mint was authorized to create a new coin.
There was some internal conflict at the Philadelphia Mint at the time. James Longacre, the Chief Engraver, was the outsider and dealt with a fair bit of harassment in his quest to create the design. It eventually went through, but the final set of dies was not completed until 1850.
The head is Liberty, set in a classical style with her hair in a bun. She is wearing the coronet which gives this coin its alternate name. The reverse is a variation on the Great Seal of the United States. At the time the design was not received well, but it has retained significant collectability.
The double eagle was one of the biggest mintages of coins at the time. Almost all of the Gold used for coinage was turned into double eagles. California and the western territories and states had a major shortage of Precious Metal coins.
There were minor changes made to the coin over its run, but for the most part, this design ran for the whole duration. In 1904 President Roosevelt inquired about changing the design, and the following year his friend Augustus Saint-Gaudens began a new design that went into effect in 1907. This marked the end of the Liberty Head double eagle.
Historical Significance
The quarter eagle, half eagle and eagle were foundational coins for commerce, though high-value. The value of these coins was linked to the Precious Metal used for the main coin of the denomination, with the eagle being the base coin for Gold, the dollar being the base coin for Silver and the cent being the base coin for Copper. The double eagle was the superior denomination of the base coin for Gold, the eagle.
This continued until base metal coins became a part of American coinage, which marked the beginning of the end for Precious Metal coins. Though the nickel came in the mid-19th century, it marked the beginning of a trend that would make its way through the middle of the 20th: the removal of Precious Metal from circulating coins. Eagles became a thing of the past earlier than other denominations, but they were not the only coin to fall by the wayside.
Numismatic Value
Eagles of all types have a high value due to their Gold content, but some have a very high premium. High-grade specimens of the Liberty Head are very expensive indeed. Most of the more expensive variants come from the branch mints, but there are errors and rarities that go for much more. 1849 is a pattern coin, and the best we can tell is that the mintage was only one. Some of the late mintages in high grades go for a lot of money. The 1870CC is so rare as to be almost impossible to find, and type sets can be hard to collect. 1886 is also very expensive and rare.
Expand your collection today and shop our assortment of $20 Gold Liberty Double Eagle Coins (1850-1907).