1904 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC MS65 (CAC)

Here's an excellent candidate for a gem state type coin to add to your collection. With its golden-yellow coloring and sharp strike, this is quite an attractive piece. Please take a close look at the images of this coin. It is absolutely stunning. NGC has graded 7,705 as MS65, with 566 finer. In CAC, there are 532 in MS65, with 34 finer. CAC gives this issue a price of $6,000.00 in MS65.

David Akers writes, "The 1904 is by far the most common date in the Liberty Head Double Eagle series and it is also one of the commonest of all twenties along with the 1908 No Motto, 1924 and 1927. The 1904 is available in large quantities and a great many choice, gem and even superb examples exist."

Self portrait of James B. Longacre (from 1845), the US Mint Chief Engraver who designed and engraved the famous Liberty Head double eagle series (1850-1907). Image: Wikimedia Commons.

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.