Numismatic

1878 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle MS-61 NGC

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In 1878, the Philadelphia Mint struck this impressive twenty-dollar gold piece, a denomination often referred to as a double eagle. Containing 0.9675 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 0.900, this heavy coin represents a classic era of United States coinage. The design, which was produced by the U.S. Mint from 1850 to 1907, was created by James B. Longacre. The front of the coin features a left-facing portrait of Liberty. She wears a crown-like diadem decorated with pearls, which clearly displays the inscription "LIBERTY". Encircling her portrait are thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the year 1878 positioned at the bottom. On the reverse, a majestic eagle stands with its wings fully spread, protecting a shield positioned on its chest. Above the eagle, thirteen stars are arranged in an oval pattern beneath a halo of rays. The outer edge bears the inscriptions "United States of America" and the denomination written as "Twenty Dollars". This specific specimen has been officially graded as Mint State 61 (MS-61).