Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1849 (pattern); 1850-1866
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.43 grams (515.90 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 23,526,676
Proof Mintage: 375 (estimated)

1850–1866 Liberty Head Double Eagle – Type I | No Motto Reverse

Following a landmark pattern issue in 1849, the Liberty Head Double Eagle—the largest denomination of circulating U.S. coinage—entered full production in 1850, catalyzed by the wealth pouring out of California’s gold fields. Designed by James B. Longacre, this Type I $20 gold piece features a compact portrait of Liberty facing left, her hair tied in a bun and adorned with a coronet inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars encircle the obverse, with the date appearing below.

The reverse design is unique among U.S. coinage: a majestic eagle with a squared shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch, flanked by ornamental flourishes. Above the eagle are rays and stars, and the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY D. encircle the design. Notably, this "No Motto" reverse predates the addition of IN GOD WE TRUST, which would not appear until 1866.

Rarity & Market Insights

Type I Liberty Head double eagles were struck in large numbers from 1850 through early 1866, with production taking place at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints. While the type is generally accessible, certain issues are scarce to rare, especially branch mint coins with low survivorship.

• Collectors can easily acquire one of the more common dates in Very Fine (VF) to Extremely Fine (XF)condition.

• About Uncirculated (AU) coins are scarcer and carry a premium due to their relatively limited availability.

• Uncirculated (Mint State) examples are very scarce, and superb Uncirculated pieces (MS63+) are rare, particularly for early San Francisco issues.

• Proof examples are exceedingly rare, struck in minuscule quantities and seldom offered publicly.

Shipwreck Recovery Coins

Several Type I double eagles—especially 1857-S and 1856-S—have been recovered from the S.S. Central America, the legendary "Ship of Gold" lost in 1857. These sunken treasure specimens are often seen with lightly etched or granular surfaces caused by prolonged saltwater exposure. When certified by reputable grading services with provenance designations, these coins hold strong appeal among both numismatists and history enthusiasts.

This pre-Civil War $20 gold coin stands as a foundational type in U.S. numismatics and is a must-have for any type set, gold specialist, or investor seeking historically significant hard assets. The Liberty Head Type I Double Eagle is a tangible relic of the Gold Rush era and one of the most iconic gold coins ever produced by the United States Mint.