1907-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS MS63

Here’s an attractive, well-struck, and lustrous piece to add to your collection. Plus it is an example from the last year of the popular Liberty Head double eagle series (1850-1907). PCGS has graded 1,105 specimens as MS63 with 556 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $4,500.00 in MS63.

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.

James B. Longacre, who crafted the dramatic design of the Liberty Head double eagle. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

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. Within those stars is found IN GOD WE TRUST. 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.