$20 Gold Double Eagle

$20 Double Eagle Gold Coins at Provident Metals

Of all coins produced by the US Mint prior to 1933, few are as popular as $20 Double Eagle Gold Coins. These unique coins were introduced well after the smaller denominations of Eagles yet have remained just as popular due to their gold content and interesting designs over the years. Learn more about $20 Double Eagle Gold Coins here, at Provident Metals.

Gold Content of $20 Double Eagles

The Coinage Act of 1837 increased the gold content of coins to exactly .900. The other 10% of the coin was to be made of a silver and copper alloy with silver being capped at no more than half of the mixture. This standard of 90% gold content was used from 1837 until U.S. gold coin circulation came to an end in 1933.

Pre-33 $20 Liberty Double Eagle Gold Coins

While the quarter eagle, half eagle, and eagle were defined in the Coinage Act of 1792, double eagles weren’t created until the Coinage Act of 1849. This act was passed by Congress during the California Gold Rush. Due to the increased gold supply, this act authorized the US Mint to produce two new gold coins, a gold dollar coin, and the double eagle. Due to it having twice the face value of the popular eagle coin, it was named the double eagle.

The first double eagle was produced that same year, with two proof versions being made. One was given to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., with the second being presented to William M. Meredith. The coins were made for commerce the following year.

The first version of the $20 Gold Double Eagle was the Pre-33 $20 Liberty Double Eagle Gold Coin. These coins were struck from 1850-1907 and were designed by the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, James B. Longacre.

• Obverse: The obverse of these coins remained the same from 1849-1907. These coins were given their name due to the obverse which features a depiction of Lady Liberty. The iconic figure is seen in left-profile relief donning the coronet crown which reads “Liberty.” 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies, surround the portrait.
• Reverse: The reverse has had a few alterations during the coin program’s history but has largely remained the same. The reverse field showcases a heraldic eagle design similar to the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle is seen with a shield on its chest holding a double ribbon. Identifying marks of the coin surround the image. From 1849-1866 there was no motto inscribed. Starting in 1866 they added the “In God We Trust” motto. In 1877, they turned the denomination “Twenty D.” into “Twenty Dollars.”

Pre-33 $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coins

In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to revitalize American coinage by making it more beautiful. As such, he reached out to Augustus Saint-Gaudens for help. The famous sculptor had previous issues with the US Mint, as well as its Chief Engraver, Charles E. Barber. However, he agreed to help.

The new design of the double eagle had several number of delays due to the declining health of Saint-Gaudens as well as the high-relief imagery of the design. Saint-Gaudens passed away in 1907, but not before completing new designs for the double eagle as well as the eagle.

The initial design for the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coins was in high-relief which proved to be difficult to strike. As such, Barber modified the design to a lower relief so that coins could be struck with just one blow. The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle was produced from 1907-1933.

• Obverse: The obverse of these coins displays what is regarded as one of the most beautiful designs to be featured on a coin. It shows Liberty striding toward the viewer holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. Rays of sun as well as the Capitol building can be seen in the background. 46 stars surrounded the design from 1907 to 1911. After the inclusion of New Mexico and Arizona, two additional stars were added to the design in 1912.
• Reverse: The reverse of these iconic coins features a flying eagle design. The eagle is seen flying to the left as the sun appears from the bottom illuminating the scene. The following year in 1908, the motto “In God We Trust” was added just above the sun.

The obverse of these coins is now used on American Eagle Gold Coins, the official American gold bullion coin, since 1986. In 2009, the US Mint struck a Pre-33 $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin with 1 Troy oz of .999 gold.

Buying $20 Double Eagle Gold Coins at Provident Metals

We have a wide selection of $20 Gold Double Eagles at Provident Metals. For any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our customer service team is available at 1-800-313-3315. Additionally, we can also be reached through email or our online chat feature.