1907-D $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC MS63 (CAC)

This piece from the second year of operation of the Denver Mint is a well-struck, lustrous one from the last year of the long-term, popular Liberty Head $20 double eagle series (1850-1907). NGC has graded 446 examples in the grade of MS63 with 592 finer. In CAC there are 22 in MS63 with 111 finer. The Collectors Universe price for this issue in MS63 is $4,250.00.

The Denver Mint in 1906, the year it opened for business. This offering from AUCM was struck the next year.

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.