Numismatic

1896-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle MS-63 NGC

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In 1896, the San Francisco Mint struck this impressive twenty dollar gold coin, a denomination that circulated during an era of significant economic growth. Containing 0.9675 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 0.900, this piece belongs to a historic series produced from 1850 to 1907. It survives today in a notable state of preservation, certified by professional graders as Mint State 63. The front of the coin displays a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty. Her hair is secured, and she wears a coronet decorated with pearls, which bears the word Liberty. Thirteen stars encircle her portrait, with the year 1896 positioned at the bottom. This side of the coin showcases the elegant engraving style that defined American gold coinage in the late nineteenth century. On the reverse, the design draws inspiration from the Great Seal of the United States. An eagle with outstretched wings shields its chest, holding arrows and an olive branch. Above the central motif, the inscription United States of America arches along the top border, while the face value of twenty dollars is displayed at the base.