Semi-Numismatic

$20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle (Damaged)

---

This twenty dollar gold piece belongs to a legendary era of American coinage, minted during a span that ran from 1850 to 1907. Created by James B. Longacre, the design represents the largest denomination of circulating gold authorized by the United States. The coin contains 0.9675 troy ounces of pure gold within its 0.900 fine composition, making it a substantial and heavy piece of history. On the front side, the profile of Liberty faces left, her hair bound by a band inscribed with her name, while thirteen stars encircle the border. The reverse side displays a majestic heraldic eagle bearing a shield, with another cluster of thirteen stars positioned above. The design evolved over its production run, dividing into three distinct varieties. The earliest Type I versions lacked any religious motto, while Type II pieces introduced the phrase 'In God We Trust' in 1866. By 1877, Type III coins spelled out the denomination fully as 'TWENTY DOLLARS'. These large gold pieces were struck at several historic mint facilities, including Philadelphia, Carson City, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Although the United States Mint first began striking gold coins back in 1795, the vast majority of these early issues vanished forever in 1933. A presidential decree that year outlawed the private holding of monetary gold, resulting in millions of coins being melted down into bullion bars. Because of this massive destruction, the surviving specimens that escaped the melting pots remain highly prized for their scarcity and historical significance.