Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1877-1907
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.436 grams (515.99 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 64,137,477
Proof Mintage: 2,426
1877–1907 Liberty Head $20 Double Eagle – Type III | “TWENTY DOLLARS” Reverse
The Type III Liberty Head Double Eagle, struck from 1877 through 1907, represents ... Read More
Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1877-1907
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 34 mm
Weight: 33.436 grams (515.99 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 64,137,477
Proof Mintage: 2,426
1877–1907 Liberty Head $20 Double Eagle – Type III | “TWENTY DOLLARS” Reverse
The Type III Liberty Head Double Eagle, struck from 1877 through 1907, represents the final evolution of James B. Longacre’s enduring Coronet design. While the obverse—featuring Liberty in profile, crowned with a beaded coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars and the date below—remains unchanged, the denomination on the reverse was revised from “TWENTY D.” to the fully spelled-out “TWENTY DOLLARS”, establishing a new type.
The reverse continues to display the iconic heraldic eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, with a shield at its breast and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST prominently displayed above.
Mints & Rarity
Production of this type was extensive:
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Philadelphia Mint struck coins continuously throughout the series.
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San Francisco and Carson City issued coins intermittently, with the New Orleans Mint contributing in 1879, and Denver striking its first issues in 1906–1907.
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While many issues are common, notable rarities include the 1881, 1882, 1885, and especially the 1883 and 1884 Philadelphia issues, which are legendary key dates in U.S. numismatics.
Availability & Collectability
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Very Fine (VF) to About Uncirculated (AU) examples are readily available, making this type ideal for collectors building type sets or bullion-backed portfolios.
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Uncirculated (MS60–MS62) coins appear less frequently, while superb Uncirculated (MS64–MS66) examples are scarce, especially with original, frosty surfaces.
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The 1904 double eagle is by far the most available date in high grade and is commonly seen in gem Mint State.
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Proofs were struck in limited numbers and are considered major rarities, often commanding premium prices when they appear on the market.
Numismatic Legacy
The Type III Liberty Head Double Eagle bridges the final chapter of America’s 19th-century gold coinage with the dawn of the 20th century. These coins played a vital role in global commerce, and their impressive size, historical significance, and intrinsic gold content continue to attract collectors, investors, and historians alike.
Whether acquiring an example for a U.S. gold type set, an investment portfolio, or simply as a tangible piece of American monetary heritage, the 1877–1907 “TWENTY DOLLARS” Liberty Head double eagle remains an iconic and rewarding acquisition.
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