$20, Double Eagle

A Double Eagle is a gold coin of the United States with a denomination of $20. Although the "eagle"-based nomenclature for gold U.S. more...

coinage is often assumed to be merely slang, the "eagle," "half-eagle" and "quarter-eagle" were specifically given these names in the Act of Congress that originally authorized them ("An Act establishing a Mint, and regulating Coins of the United States", section 9, April 2, 1792). Likewise, the Double Eagle was specifically created as such by name ("An Act to authorize the Coinage of Gold Dollars and Double Eagles", title and section 1, March 3, 1849).

The first double eagle was minted in 1849, coinciding with the California Gold Rush. In that year, the mint produced one piece, which now resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. In 1850 regular production began. Prior to that time, eagles with a denomination of $10 were the largest denomination of US coin. $10 eagles were produced beginning in 1795, just two years after the first U.S. mint opened. Since the $20 gold piece had twice the value of the eagle, these coins were designated "double eagles".

Regular issue double eagles come in two major and five minor types as follows:

• Liberty Coronet With No Motto 1849-1866
• Liberty Coronet Twenty D. 1866-1876
• Liberty Coronet with Motto 1877-1907
• Saint Gaudens High Relief Roman Numerals 1907
• Saint Gaudens Arabic Numerals 1907-1932

There are other extremely rare types of St. Gaudens double eagles, minted in 1907. The current value of these coins is over $100,000.

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