Numismatic

1896 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle MS-62 NGC

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Struck in the final years of the nineteenth century, this 1896 double eagle represents a classic era of United States gold coinage. Minted in Philadelphia, this twenty dollar piece contains 0.9675 ounces of actual gold weight. Its design, created by James Barton Longacre, was produced by the United States Mint from 1850 to 1907, making it one of the most enduring gold designs in the nation's history. The obverse of the coin presents a dignified left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, her hair secured with a crown that clearly displays the inscription Liberty. Positioned directly beneath her portrait is the year 1896. This side of the coin celebrates the foundational American ideal of freedom in a bold, classical style. On the reverse, a detailed heraldic eagle serves as the central focus. The eagle is surrounded by the inscriptions United States of America and the denomination Twenty Dollars. This specific specimen has been certified by professional grading services as Mint State 62, indicating its remarkable state of preservation over more than a century.