$20 Liberty Gold Coin (BU)

The Common Date $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle was first proofed in 1849 and available from 1850 right up until 1907, this coin had incredible longevity. It must have seen many changes during its circulation, for America would be transformed from a rural backwater to a global leader of industry. This particular example is a cherished survivor of the Treasury melting gold coins following executive order 1602 in 1933.

However, to understand better what galvanized the production of this enduring and beautiful coin, we need to turn back the clock to 1848. James Wilson Marshall is working with his crew constructing a sawmill at Sutter's Mill on the South Fork American River in Coloma, California. While he strolls beside the river, he glances down and sees something shimmer in the water. At first he ignores it and walks on. But upon seeing more glittering material in the river, he stops and takes a closer look. James has seen the signs of gold.

The date is January 24 and James's chance discovery is about to change American history. Once word gets out, over 300,000 people will become the "forty-niners" and will flock to the region, motivated by the promise of gold. Marshall's discovery was to lead to vast quantities of gold being found, to the transformation of the region and contribute to America's westward expansion. It was a discovery that was also to lead to the production of this treasured piece, the $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle.

The $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle was designed by James Longacre — though his design is indebted to Christian Gobrecht's earlier $10 design. The obverse side depicts a classically styled profile portrait of Liberty, shown wearing a beaded coronet, her hair curled up at the back, while some tendrils tumble down her neck. Her portrait is surrounded by 13 stars, representing the original states of the union and the year of issue is beneath the portrait. Your order will be fulfilled with a random year of issue, depending on availability; but you can be assured it will be in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.

On the reverse side, an eagle is depicted with its wings displayed and looking to its right. The eagle clutches an olive branch and arrows symbolizing that America is committed to peace, but prepared to defend itself should the need arise. The phrase "E. PLURIBUS UNUM" (out of many, one) is emblazoned on a banner flowing on either side of the eagle. In front of the eagle is a union shield, with its distinctive vertical stripes. Following the end of the Civil War and the Mint Act of 1865, the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was inserted in the oval of stars above the eagle. Also, the shield was altered, giving it more rounded edges. The rays of the sun can be seen fanning out between the eagle's wings. Gold Double Eagles were minted with 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper and were struck weighing 0.9675 of a troy ounce; they measure 34 millimeters in diameter.

Add this historic coin, a Common Date $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle BU, to your collection today.

• Classic Liberty head design
• Designer: James B. Longacre
• U.S. Mint
• Random year of issue
• BU condition
• 90% gold, 10% copper

Orders placed for products that are not a specific year will be fulfilled with coins of any date, based on availability. Orders of multiple coins may be filled with the same year or a variety of years.