Numismatic

1861 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle XF

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This twenty-dollar gold piece, struck in 1861, represents a compelling moment in American coinage. Minted during the onset of the Civil War, the coin is composed of 90 percent gold, containing 0.9675 troy ounces of the precious metal. Over the decades, vast quantities of these gold issues were melted down, making surviving examples like this Extra Fine specimen particularly intriguing to study. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair bound by a band clearly inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle her image, representing the original colonies, with the date 1861 positioned at the bottom. This classic depiction was created by designer James B. Longacre, whose work graced the double eagle series from its inception in 1850 through 1907. On the reverse, a detailed heraldic eagle holds a protective shield across its chest. An additional cluster of thirteen stars floats above the eagle, surrounded by the legend United States of America and the face value, written as Twenty D. While this denomination was produced at various branch mints including Carson City, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco, this specific coin was struck at the main facility in Philadelphia.