Numismatic

1866-1876 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Type 2 AU

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The decade spanning 1866 to 1876 marked a significant era for American coinage, highlighted by the production of the Type 2 Liberty Head double eagle. Crafted from 0.900 fine gold, this substantial coin contains 0.9675 troy ounces of precious metal. These twenty-dollar pieces were struck at various United States Mint facilities, including Philadelphia, Carson City, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Over the years, vast quantities of these coins were melted down, making the surviving specimens particularly intriguing to study. Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin features a classic obverse profile of Liberty looking toward the left. Her hair is bound by a band clearly inscribed with the word LIBERTY, and a ring of thirteen stars encircles her portrait. On the reverse, Longacre depicted a detailed heraldic eagle bearing a defensive shield over its chest. Above the eagle, a cluster of thirteen stars is arranged, accompanied by the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The reverse also displays the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination TWENTY D.