| Until 1849, The U.S. Mint produced only $2.50,
$5 and $10 gold coins. The California Gold Rush, however, prompted Congress to
authorize the mintage of the legendary $20 Double Eagle. Over the years, this
coin was produced in three types. Type I, the "No Motto" variety, was minted from
1849 to 1866. Type II, bearing the designation "Twenty D" on the reverse, was
minted from 1866 to 1876, followed by the Type III (1877-1907), with "Twenty Dollars"
fully spelled out. This historic coin offers the highest gold content of any
regular issue U.S. gold coin of its era and possesses one of the most arresting
reverses on any United States coin: a dauntless eagle, its wings fully spread.
The obverse bears a classical Greek rendition of Lady Liberty. This gleaming keepsake
from America's past reigned as King of American coins from 1850 to 1907. |