The Liberty Double Eagle design was used on the $20 denomination of US coins for an extended period. While other denominations in the US Eagle Series were introduced in the 1790s, the Double Eagle came later, post-California Gold Rush, with its debut in 1850. By the 1870s, it was well-known both nationally and internationally. Explore more about the 1877-S Double Eagles today!
Before the Civil War of 1861, Liberty Double Eagles were struck at three branch mints each year: Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco. From 1850 to 1861, Philadelphia was the primary producer. The war affected the New Orleans Mint’s operations, and gold hoarding became widespread in the East.
During the Civil War and the Reconstruction period, the San Francisco Mint became the main producer of these coins. In 1877, production was concentrated in the Western United States.
In 1877, the San Francisco Mint produced 1,735,000 Double Eagles, with an additional 42,565 from the Carson City Mint, making a total of nearly 1.8 million coins from the West. In contrast, the Philadelphia Mint produced 397,650 coins. San Francisco’s production was more than four times that of Philadelphia.
The 1877 $20 Liberty Double Eagle features a significant design change on the reverse. The US Mint created three reverse designs for the Liberty Gold Double Eagle. The Type I reverse was used from 1849 to 1866, and Type II from 1866 to 1876.
In 1877, the Mint introduced the Type III reverse design, which included the Great Seal of the United States and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” in the stars above the eagle. The denomination inscription was updated from “TWENTY D.” to “TWENTY DOLLARS.”
The obverse continued with James B. Longacre’s Liberty bust, based on Christian Gobrecht’s 1836 design. Liberty is depicted in left-profile relief with a coronet marked “LIBERTY” and surrounded by 13 stars, with the 1877 date below.
If you have any questions about Liberty Double Eagles, please feel free to ask. Provident Metals customer service is available to help you at 800-313-3315, online through our web chat, and via email.
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