1903 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC MS64 (CAC)

Here’s a great candidate for a gold type coin to add to your collection from the turn of the last century. This is an attractive, well-struck and lustrous piece that you would be proud to call your own. Plus the prestigious (and valuable) green CAC sticker makes this piece even more desirable. NGC has graded 3,361 as MS 64 with 929 finer. In CAC, there are 408 in MS64 with 46 finer. Collectors Universe prices MS64 at $3,000.00.

Conflict was rife between Chief Coiner Franklin Peale (above) and Chief Engraver James B. Longacre (below).

The creation of the double eagle design and coin saw conflict reach a fever pitch within the U.S. mint--between chief coiner Franklin Peale and mint director Robert Patterson on one side, and chief engraver James B. Longacre on the other. Patterson despised the senator who influenced Longacre's appointment, while Peale was running an illicit private business making medals for private clients--on the mint's dime with their equipment--with the mint director's unspoken approval.

Peale had possession of the Contamin portrait lathe, which was needed to reduce models of designs of medals and coins to reductions from which working dies could be made. Peale did not want to share the lathe, which was a problem when the new double eagle was being created. Obstacle after obstacle was thrown in Longacre's path as he worked on the coin.

Harassment was a constant companion for the skilled engraver, from both Patterson and Peale. It was the result of corruption by and friendship between the two mint officers. No help with engraving work, broken galvanos, broken dies, rejected dies--on more than one occasion--and a false claim of being relieved from his position--were what Longacre had to face daily. Finally, he went to the Treasury Secretary in Washington, who discovered all the lies told about Longacre and his work by the Mint officials; that meeting saved his job as chief engraver.