1849 P Liberty Gold Piece $20 American Coin for US Collectors

It is truly an indescribable experience to handle the magnificent $20 Double Eagle Tribute! In this modern era of clad circulating coinage and plastic credit cards, it is difficult to fathom that these marvelous, weighty pieces were once actually utilized as currency. The Double Eagle, America's largest circulating gold coin, was born during the exhilarating years of the Great California Gold Rush. The immense amounts of gold extracted from the hills by the 49'ers played a crucial role in the expansion of the American West and brought about significant changes to the nation's gold coinage.

The initial delivery of California gold to the Philadelphia Mint weighed slightly over 230 ounces, with most of it being transformed into smaller Quarter Eagles. The Mint consistently received record-breaking amounts of gold, and therefore, it was logical to convert as much of it as possible into coins, without the need for expanding the existing facilities. One apparent solution was to introduce a denomination much larger than the currently authorized Quarter, Half, and Eagle pieces. By bringing the new $20 Double Eagle into circulation, the Mint could produce double the coinage value of the existing $10 Gold Eagle using the same equipment and facilities.

The task of designing the new coin fell upon Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, who utilized a similar motif for two newly introduced denominations, namely the Gold Dollar and the $20 Gold Piece. On the obverse, the distinguished portrait of Lady Liberty depicts her wearing a pearl-bordered diadem, inscribed with the word LIBERTY. This portrayal drew inspiration from the ancient Greco-Roman sculpture known as the Crouching Venus. As for the reverse, it features the Great Seal of the United States.

The Double Eagle, also known as the $20 Gold Piece, holds the distinction of being the largest denomination among all circulating coins ever minted by the U.S. Mint. James Longacre crafted a Greco-Roman representation of Liberty wearing a coronet engraved with the word LIBERTY. It is important to note that this coin is a RESTRIKE and not an original. The reverse side showcases the Great Seal of the United States.

In order to pay homage to this monumental gold coin, this Collector's Proof is meticulously minted to meet the highest quality standards. It undergoes multiple strikes to achieve razor-sharp design details and a brilliant finish. The coin's composition consists of brass, layered with 24kt gold. Although it is a non-tradable replica, it serves as a remarkable souvenir and a valuable addition to any coin collection. This tribute represents one of the world's most rare and beautiful coins.

product information: