1890-CC $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS AU58 (CAC)

Liberty Head $20 Double Eagle Gold Pieces, 1849-1907

Along with the Gold Dollar, the $20 Gold Piece, or Double Eagle, was authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849. The large western gold discoveries made mintage of the Double Eagle a necessity, especially at the San Francisco Mint where the majority of Double Eagles between 1855 and 1907 were produced. Struck in three distinct Varieties, like the Liberty Head Eagles and Half Eagles, the motto, "In God We Trust," was added to the reverse of the Double Eagle in 1866.  These three distinct Varieties are:

• 1849-1866 Coronet, No Motto Type
• 1866-1876 Coronet, With Motto, "TWENTY D." on reverse Type
• 1877-1907 Coronet, With Motto, "TWENTY DOLLARS" on reverse Type

There are many outstanding rarities in this series. The only Double Eagle minted in 1849, considered a pattern, is permanently impounded in the U.S. Mint collection. Particularly rare are the New Orleans Mint issues of 1854, 1856, and 1879, the Carson City Mint issues of 1870, and the Philadelphia Mint issues of 1881 to 1887 and 1891. In 1861, Anthony Paquet designed an experimental reverse with tall letters that was briefly used to mint a reported 19,250 coins. This reverse was withdrawn shortly after production began, however, since the border was too narrow to protect the devices from abrasion.  These coins are very scarce today, with perhaps 50 known specimens extant from the San Francisco mint and only 3 from the Philadelphia mint.