Numismatic

1857 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle XF-45 PCGS

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In 1857, the Philadelphia Mint produced a run of 439,375 gold double eagles, each carrying a face value of twenty dollars. These impressive coins represent a significant era in American coinage, struck from 90 percent pure gold with a total precious metal content of 0.9675 troy ounces. This particular specimen has survived the decades in Extra Fine 45 condition, showing only moderate wear on its high points while retaining much of its original design detail. The obverse features the classic profile of Liberty, her hair secured with a band inscribed with her name. She is surrounded by thirteen stars, representing the original colonies, with the year 1857 anchored at the bottom. On the reverse, the heraldic eagle holds an olive branch and arrows, shielded and flanked by ornate scrolls. The surrounding inscriptions read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination TWENTY D. because this coin was minted in Philadelphia, it bears no mint mark, a traditional characteristic of the mother mint's output during this period.