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$20 Double Eagle Overview
The first double eagles (2 proofs) were minted in 1849. This coinciding with the
California Gold Rush. It is a gold coin of the United States with a denomination
of $20. (Its gold content of 0.9675 troy oz was worth $20 at the then official
price of $20.67/oz). The coins are made from a 90% gold (0.900 fine = 21.6 kt)
and 10% copper alloy.
In 1850 regular production began and continued until 1933 (when the official price
of gold was changed to $35/oz by the Gold Reserve Act). Prior to 1850, eagles with
a denomination of $10 were the largest denomination of US coin.
Double Eagles come in two major types and six minor varieties:
- Liberty Head (Coronet) 1849 - 1907
- Liberty Head, no motto, value "Twenty D." 1849-1866
- Liberty Head, with motto, value "Twenty D." 1866-1876
- Liberty Head, with motto, value "Twenty Dollars" 1877-1907
- Saint Gaudens 1907 - 1933
- Saint Gaudens, High Relief, Roman Numerals, no motto 1907
- Saint Gaudens, Low Relief, Arabic Numerals, no motto 1907-1908
- Saint Gaudens, Low Relief, Arabic Numerals, with motto 1908-1933
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