Introduced in 1850, the Gold Double Eagle was the largest denomination in the US Eagle gold coin series. With a face value of $20 (USD), this coin was largely used in international commerce and featured only two different designs in its history. The original design was created by James B. Longacre. Now, certified 1878-S Pre-33 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coins are available for purchase online from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Coins arrive inside NGC plastic slabs!
- 29th year for the Liberty Gold Double Eagle!
- Total mintage of 1.739 million coins at the San Francisco Mint!
- Limited availability for certified coins!
- Contains .9675 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Issued a face value of $20 (USD) by the United States.
- Bears a Grade of About Uncirculated 58 from the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
- Obverse features Lady Liberty.
- Reverse includes the Great Seal of the United States.
- Comes with an S mint mark from the San Francisco Mint.
In 1878, the United States Mint issued the Liberty Gold Double Eagles at three branch mints. These coins from the San Francisco Mint represent the highest original volume from a single mint at 1.739 million coins. The Philadelphia Mint issued 543,625 coins, while the Carson City Mint issued a nominal volume of just 13,180 coins.
Liberty Gold Double Eagles were designed in 1849 by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the US Mint at the time. Longacre’s obverse bust of Liberty is similar to Christian Gobrecht’s 1838 bust of Liberty featured on the other denominations of the US Eagle at this time. Longacre’s reverse design offered a more ornate take on the heraldic eagle based on the Great Seal of the United States.
Obverse design elements on the 1878-S $20 Liberty Double Eagle include the left-profile effigy of Liberty. This bust of Liberty depicts her with a coronet crown on her head and surrounds the bust with 13 stars.
Reverse visuals on 1878-S Pre-33 Liberty Gold Double Eagles depict the Great Seal of the United States. This ornate version of the heraldic eagle includes a larger US national shield, the arrows of war, and the olive branch of peace. A ring of 13 stars above the eagle’s head includes the inscription of the national motto.
These 1878-S Pre-33 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles include an AU58 grade from the NGC. Coins with a 58 designation are at the highest end of the About Uncirculated range and boast only trace signs of friction on the highest relief points, with medium or even near-full mint luster.
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