Numismatic

1884-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle AU

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In 1884, the San Francisco Mint struck this impressive twenty dollar gold coin. Containing 0.9675 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 0.900, this Liberty Double Eagle represents a fascinating era of United States coinage. While many of these large gold pieces were melted down over the decades, surviving examples allow us to appreciate the artistry of nineteenth century American money. The obverse side, designed by James B. Longacre, features a left-facing portrait of Liberty. Her hair is secured by a band clearly inscribed with the word LIBERTY, and she is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The year 1884 is prominently displayed at the bottom of the design. On the reverse, a detailed heraldic eagle holds a shield against its chest. Above the eagle, another arrangement of thirteen stars appears, surrounded by the country of issue, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the twenty dollar denomination. This classic design was produced by the United States Mint from 1850 to 1907, making it a cornerstone of pre-1933 American coinage.