Gold Double Eagle Coins — $20 Gold Price Guide & Key Dates 1849–1933
1849–1933 • Liberty Head • Saint-Gaudens • 1933 Double Eagle • Current Values
Origins of the Double Eagle
The $20 Gold Double Eagle was introduced in 1849 in direct response to the California Gold Rush, when massive gold discoveries created a need for higher-value coinage. Congress authorized the new denomination to support large commercial transactions and stabilize a rapidly expanding economy. As gold flooded the markets, the Double Eagle became an essential tool for merchants and bankers during one of the most transformative periods in American financial history.
The coin's large size — 34mm in diameter and weighing nearly an ounce of gold — made it ideal for banking and international trade rather than everyday commerce. Most double eagles spent their lives moving between bank vaults, not pockets, which is why many survive in better condition than smaller denominations. For 84 years, until the 1933 gold recall, the double eagle served as America's largest and most prestigious gold coin.
Design and Artistry
Designed by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, the original Liberty Head Double Eagle features Lady Liberty wearing a starred coronet on the obverse and a powerful eagle with a shield on the reverse. These elements symbolized national strength, prosperity, and American ideals. The design ran from 1849 through 1907 across three distinct types, with the addition of "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the reverse in 1866 creating the Type II, and a revised reverse design in 1877 creating the Type III.
In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign American coinage. Saint-Gaudens produced what many consider the most beautiful coin ever struck by the United States Mint — a striding Liberty on the obverse, torch in one hand and olive branch in the other, with an eagle in flight on the reverse. The coin went through several dramatic variations between 1907 and 1908 before settling into the common design struck through 1933. Today the Saint-Gaudens double eagle is universally regarded as the pinnacle of American numismatic artistry.
Double Eagle Design Types & Key Dates
Liberty Head Double Eagles (1849–1907)
Type I — No Motto (1849–1866)
Original Longacre design. "TWENTY D." denomination on reverse. Most Type I coins circulated heavily in commerce and international trade. The 1849 is unique (the pattern/presentation piece in the Smithsonian). Common dates affordable in circulated grades.
Type II — Motto, "TWENTY D." (1866–1876)
"IN GOD WE TRUST" added to reverse in 1866. "TWENTY D." denomination retained. Key dates include 1870-CC (Carson City's first double eagle) and the rare 1871-CC. All Carson City issues command strong premiums.
Type III — Motto, "TWENTY DOLLARS" (1877–1907)
Denomination spelled out in full. The longest-running Liberty Head type and the most available. Common Philadelphia and San Francisco dates are the most accessible large gold coins in US numismatics. Still requires nearly 1 oz gold melt value.
Carson City (CC) Double Eagles
Carson City struck double eagles from 1870 to 1893. All CC double eagles carry collector premiums. The 1870-CC and 1871-CC are key dates worth $25,000+ in VF. Common CC dates like the 1882-CC start around $2,500 circulated.
New Orleans (O) Double Eagles
New Orleans struck double eagles 1850–1879. All O-mint dates are scarcer than Philadelphia or San Francisco issues. The 1854-O and 1856-O are key dates; most other dates are available in circulated grades at modest premiums.
1861 Paquet Reverse — Rarity
Anthony Paquet's experimental reverse with tall, narrow lettering. Most were melted — only a handful of Philadelphia and a single San Francisco example are known. One of the great rarities of the Liberty Head series.
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles (1907–1933)
1907 MCMVII High Relief
Augustus Saint-Gaudens' original vision — extremely high relief with Roman numerals in the date. Wire rim and flat rim varieties. Struck in very limited quantities due to production difficulties. Among the most beautiful US coins ever made.
1907–1908 No Motto
Reduced relief for mass production. Arabic numerals replace Roman. No motto on reverse (1907–1908). More accessible than the MCMVII. The 1907 Arabic Numerals and 1908-D No Motto are popular type coins with strong availability.
1908–1933 With Motto
"IN GOD WE TRUST" added to reverse in 1908. The longest-running Saint-Gaudens type. Common Philadelphia and San Francisco dates provide the most affordable access to this iconic design. Most common date: 1924.
1927-D — Key Date
The rarest regular-issue Saint-Gaudens double eagle. Only about a dozen examples are known — most were melted in the 1933 recall before being released. A single MS-65 specimen sold for $1.9 million. Not accessible to most collectors.
1920-S, 1921, 1930-S
Three of the scarcest collectible Saint-Gaudens dates. The 1920-S and 1930-S were primarily exported and most examples come from overseas hoards. The 1921 Philadelphia had very low domestic distribution. All command strong premiums in any grade.
1924–1928 Common Dates
The highest-mintage years of the Saint-Gaudens series. Philadelphia struck millions of 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1928 double eagles. These are the most affordable entry points for collectors seeking a gem-quality Saint-Gaudens example.
The 1933 Double Eagle & the Gold Recall
1933 Double Eagle — The Forbidden Coin
445,500 struck but never officially released for circulation. President Roosevelt's Executive Order 6102 required the return of gold coins in April 1933. Nearly all were melted. One example sold at auction in 2021 for $18.9 million — the highest price ever paid for any US coin.
The 1933 Legal Status
A complex legal battle over the 1933 double eagle concluded in 2002 when a single coin was declared legal to own after the US government and Farouk family reached a settlement. All other known specimens are considered stolen government property and have been seized when discovered.
Executive Order 6102 (1933)
Roosevelt's order required Americans to surrender gold coins to the Federal Reserve in exchange for paper currency. This event permanently ended US gold coinage for circulation and accounts for the scarcity of many 1920s and early 1930s double eagles that were melted rather than collected.
Post-Recall Survivors
Many double eagles survived the recall in European bank holdings, diplomatic pouches, and private hoards. The legendary SS Central America shipwreck recovery (1987–1991) produced hundreds of uncirculated 1857 Liberty Head double eagles that had never touched circulation.
Modern Restrikes & Replicas
The 2009 Ultra High Relief $20 gold coin recreates Saint-Gaudens' original vision in .9999 fine gold. Not a reissue — it's a new commemorative — but it captures the spirit of the 1907 MCMVII at a fraction of the cost. Popular with admirers of the classic design.
Economic Role in History
The double eagle served as America's primary instrument for international trade settlement from 1850 to 1933. Millions were shipped to Europe as payment for goods and debt — which is why European coin hoards have yielded so many high-grade US double eagles that never circulated domestically.
Double Eagle Value Quick Reference
| Type / Date | Circulated (VF) | MS-63 | MS-65+ | Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Head Type I — common date | $2,100–$2,500 | $8,000–$20,000 | $40,000+ | 1849–1866, no motto | eBay → |
| Liberty Head Type III — common date | $2,050–$2,300 | $4,000–$10,000 | $20,000+ | 1877–1907, most available Liberty type | eBay → |
| Liberty Head — Carson City (CC) | $2,500–$6,000 | $15,000–$80,000 | Very rare | 1870–1893, all dates carry premium | eBay → |
| 1861 Paquet Reverse (P) | $100,000+ | $250,000+ | Extremely rare | Experimental reverse, most melted | eBay → |
| 1907 MCMVII High Relief | — | $22,000–$35,000 | $75,000+ | Saint-Gaudens' original vision | eBay → |
| Saint-Gaudens — common date (1924–1928) | $2,050–$2,300 | $3,500–$5,500 | $12,000+ | Most available Saint-Gaudens type | eBay → |
| 1920-S, 1921, 1930-S | $15,000–$40,000 | $80,000+ | Rare | Scarce dates, most exported or melted | eBay → |
| 1927-D | $1,000,000+ — only ~12 examples known | Rarest regular-issue Saint-Gaudens | |||
| 1933 Double Eagle | $18,900,000 (2021) — only one legally owned example | Most valuable US coin ever sold | |||
Shop Certified Gold Double Eagles on eBay
PCGS and NGC graded $20 gold coins — Liberty Head and Saint-Gaudens types from common dates to key dates and Carson City issues.
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Enduring Collector Significance
Today, Double Eagles are celebrated for both their artistry and their deep historical resonance. Numismatists regard them as key artifacts from a transformative era in U.S. coinage, with standout issues — such as the Saint-Gaudens designs — considered masterpieces of the medallic art. Rare dates consistently achieve strong auction results, underscoring the series' lasting desirability among advanced collectors.
The combination of bold design, historical importance, and notable rarity ensures the Double Eagle remains one of America's most iconic gold coins. Collectors value it as a link to the nation's economic evolution and as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic US gold. For related series, see our guides on Gold Half Eagles, Gold Quarter Eagles, and US Gold Coins. For current melt values and silver coin pricing, see our Coin Price Guide.
Where to Buy Gold Double Eagles
eBay — Certified Double Eagles
PCGS and NGC graded $20 gold from Liberty Head to Saint-Gaudens. The most liquid marketplace for double eagles with thousands of certified listings.
Shop Certified on eBay →JM Bullion
One of the largest US coin and bullion dealers. Competitive pricing on certified classic US gold double eagles with insured shipping and transparent premiums.
Shop JM Bullion →Kitco
World-renowned precious metals dealer with a strong selection of certified classic US gold. Live pricing, transparent premiums, and a trusted reputation in the industry.
Shop Kitco →Money Metals Exchange
Solid inventory of classic US gold at competitive premiums. Highly rated for a straightforward buying experience and reliable authentication through certified partners.
Shop Money Metals →eBay — Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles
Filtered listings for the 1907–1933 Saint-Gaudens series — common dates in MS-63 through key dates and the 1907 MCMVII High Relief in certified grades.
Shop Saint-Gaudens →FRC Coin Price Guide
Research current values for double eagles and all US gold coins before buying or selling. Updated price data across all grades and design types.
View Price Guide →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gold double eagle worth?
A common-date Liberty Head or Saint-Gaudens double eagle in circulated condition is worth $2,050–$2,300 based on its 0.9675 troy oz gold content. MS-63 examples of common dates run $3,500–$10,000 depending on type. Key dates start significantly higher — the 1927-D exceeds $1 million, and the 1933 Double Eagle sold for $18.9 million in 2021. The 1907 MCMVII High Relief in MS-63 is worth $20,000–$35,000.
What is the 1933 Double Eagle and why is it so valuable?
The 1933 Double Eagle was struck in large quantities but never officially released — President Roosevelt's Executive Order 6102 required the return of gold coins before any could enter circulation. Nearly all were melted at the Mint. A small number were illegally removed, leading to decades of legal battles. In 2002, one example was declared legal to own after a settlement between the US government and the Farouk estate. It sold for $18.9 million at Sotheby's in 2021, making it the most expensive coin ever sold at auction.
What is the Saint-Gaudens double eagle?
The Saint-Gaudens double eagle (1907–1933) is widely considered the most beautiful coin ever produced by the United States Mint. It was designed by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the personal request of President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted American coinage to rival the artistic quality of ancient Greek coins. The obverse shows a striding Liberty with a torch and olive branch; the reverse shows an eagle in flight above the rising sun. The 1907 MCMVII High Relief version — Saint-Gaudens' original vision — is particularly prized by collectors.
How much gold is in a double eagle?
A double eagle contains 0.9675 troy ounces of pure gold. The coins are struck in .900 fine gold (90% gold, 10% copper alloy), with a gross weight of 33.436 grams. At current gold prices, the melt value of a common double eagle is approximately $2,000–$2,200 — making even well-worn examples worth a significant sum. This high intrinsic value is why so many double eagles were melted in the 1933 gold recall rather than preserved.
What are the most valuable double eagles for collectors?
Beyond the unique 1933 and the key-date 1927-D, the most sought-after collectible double eagles are the 1907 MCMVII High Relief (Saint-Gaudens' original vision, ~11,250 struck), the Carson City issue key dates (1870-CC, 1871-CC), and the 1920-S, 1921, and 1930-S from the Saint-Gaudens series — all of which were mostly exported or melted, leaving very few survivors. The 1861 Paquet Reverse is among the rarest Liberty Head varieties.
Are double eagles a good investment?
Common-date double eagles are essentially gold bullion in collectible form — they track gold prices closely and trade at a modest premium above melt value. Their near-1-oz gold content makes them among the most efficient ways to hold physical gold as a numismatic coin. Key dates, CC issues, and high-grade MS-65+ examples have historically appreciated beyond melt due to collector demand. We always recommend consulting a financial advisor before making investment decisions — this page is for educational purposes only.
What is the difference between Liberty Head and Saint-Gaudens double eagles?
The Liberty Head (1849–1907) features James B. Longacre's Coronet Liberty design — a more conventional portrait style typical of 19th-century coinage. The Saint-Gaudens (1907–1933) features a dramatically different neoclassical design by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens — striding Liberty modeled after ancient Greek ideals of beauty, considered far more artistically accomplished. Both contain the same gold content; the Saint-Gaudens commands higher premiums in equivalent grades due to its greater artistic prestige and collector demand.
Collecting and Investing Strategies for United States Gold Coins This book covers regular-issue gold series from 1795 through 1933 and informs the reader on a number of investing strategies, including collecting by type, variety, or rarer issues.
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