Numismatic

1899 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle AU

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Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this 1899 twenty-dollar gold piece represents a fascinating era in American currency. Before the nation abandoned the gold standard in the 1930s, these substantial coins circulated as legal tender. Although a total of 1,669,300 of these pieces were originally minted, countless numbers were melted down decades later, making surviving specimens highly compelling to study today. Because many of these coins did not experience heavy circulation, high-grade examples remain accessible for enthusiasts to examine. Crafted from a composition of 0.900 gold alloyed with copper, the coin contains 0.9675 troy ounces of pure precious metal. The design, created by James B. Longacre, was produced by the United States Mint from 1850 to 1907. The front of the coin features a left-facing profile of Liberty, her hair secured by a band inscribed with her name, encircled by thirteen stars. The reverse side displays a detailed heraldic eagle with a protective shield on its chest. Above the eagle, thirteen stars are arranged in a circular pattern. The reverse also features the country of origin, United States of America, and the twenty-dollar denomination, alongside the motto In God We Trust.