Description
The Liberty Head double eagle or Coronet double eagle is an American twenty-dollar gold piece struck as a pattern coin in 1849, and for commerce from 1850 to 1907. It was designed by Mint of the United States Chief Engraver James B. Longacre.
These coins were minted at various United States mints with a denomination of $20. (Its gold content of 0.9675 troy oz (30.0926 grams) was worth $20 at the 1849 official price of $20.67/oz.) The coins are made from a 90% gold (0.900 fine = 21.6 kt) and 10% copper alloy and have a total weight of 1.0750 troy ounces (33.4362 grams).
Liberty Head Gold Double Eagles were minted in three design types:
- Liberty Head (Coronet) 1849–1907
- Type I: No motto, value “TWENTY D.” 1849–1866
- Type II: With motto, value “TWENTY D.” 1866–1876
- Type III: With motto, value “TWENTY DOLLARS” 1877–1907
