1904 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC MS65

Would you like a simply amazing gold type coin to add to your collection?  Well, here it is! Take a close look at this dramatic specimen. It is a beauty! From its mintage of 6,256,699, there have been an massive 241,491 of the 1904 Liberty Head double eagles graded mint state by NGC. From among those, there have been 7,371 graded by NGC as MS65, with 379 finer.  

James B. Longacre, the US Mint Chief Engraver who designed and engraved the famous pattern and prototype for the first double eagle series (1850-1907).  

The obverse of the $20 Double Eagle features a left-facing Liberty design influenced by Greco-Roman sculpture. A pearl-encrusted coronet inscribed with “Liberty” adorns her wavy hair, which flows down her neck. Thirteen stars that represent the original colonies/states surround her bust. The date is found below the image of Liberty.

The reverse presents Longacre's exaggerated design, featuring a heraldic eagle, one that is quite different from eagles previously found upon our coinage. Dramatic rays emanate from the national bird, and a circle of 13 stars is found hovering over the eagle. Two contrived ribbons encircle the awkward creature, one of which the eagle holds firmly in its beak. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is split between the two ribbons. A federal shield is found on its breast and arrows and the ivy branch of peace are found, respectively, in its right and left talons. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS surround the bird at the coin's rim.