20 Dollar Gold Double Eagle - Liberty Head

The $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle is one of the best-known historic gold coins from the United States. The coin is struck in 0.900 fine gold (21.6 karat) and contains 30.09 grams of pure gold. This makes it an appealing alternative to modern standard 1 ounce bullion coins (31.1 grams). It is a gold coin with a story—ideal for investors who also value history.

The total weight is 33.44 grams. With a diameter of approximately 34 mm and a thickness of about 2 mm, the coin has a solid, recognisable size and presence. The $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle was struck as legal tender and genuinely circulated between 1850 and 1907. Coins are supplied from various dates within this period and may show signs of wear.

The face value of this coin was 20 US dollars (USD). Today, it is worth considerably more. In the early 20th century, the Liberty Head Double Eagle was succeeded by the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle; both coins share the same gold content and weight, but differ in design.

Delivery and packaging

• Insured shipping or collection by appointment in Alkmaar, Rotterdam or Tilburg
• Individually packed in a plastic coin sleeve or hard plastic capsule
• Secure and insured storage available via Holland Gold Safe

Why choose the $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle?

• 21.6 karat gold (90% pure gold)
• American history
• Classic and historic design
• Low premium relative to the gold price

Liberty Head design

Throughout its entire production run (1850–1907), the $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle retained a largely consistent design. The obverse features Lady Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, designed by James B. Longacre. Above her head is the word LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars representing the original states, with the date at the bottom. The reverse shows the American eagle with spread wings, a shield on its chest, and arrows and an olive branch in its claws. Around the rim are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination TWENTY DOLLARS.

Addition: IN GOD WE TRUST

Between 1850 and 1866, the coin was struck without the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. These early issues date from before and the opening years of the American Civil War and therefore represent the original design.

In 1866, after the Civil War, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added above the eagle on the reverse. This change reflects the social and religious sentiment in the aftermath of the war. Aside from this addition, the design remained unchanged until 1907, when the Liberty Head was replaced by the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. This later type accounts for the largest share of today’s market.

What makes this coin especially remarkable is that it circulated before, during and after the American Civil War. As a result, the Liberty Head Double Eagle is not only a gold coin, but also a tangible historic object from a defining era in American history.

Price and resale value of the $20 Liberty Head

Looking to sell your gold coins? Holland Gold offers a buyback guarantee for this coin. We also purchase coins that were not originally bought from us. On our website, under the section ‘sell to us’, you can view the current buyback price.