Coronet
$20 Double Eagles - The double eagle
designed by James B. Longacre had three types; however, by
paying close attention to design details, collectors have
found varieties within these types.
The Liberty Head or Coronet
double eagle was first minted for circulation in 1850. It
was struck every year after that until 1907, when the new
Saint-Gaudens’ design replaced it. The major elements
of the design type, the Liberty wearing a coronet and the
heraldic eagle with two scrolls, remained essentially unchanged
for those years.
Based on changes to the reverse
there are three different main types. The Type 1 coin has
no motto. Anthony Paquet made a version of the reverse in
1861. The 1861-S using the Paquet reverse was included in
the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins (third edition). The letters are
taller and narrower than on Longacre’s version. IN GOD
WE TRUST was added in 1866 creating the Type 2 coin. This
change was a result of pressure from religious leaders who
felt that God’s name should be included on our coinage.
In 1866 the San Francisco Mint issued both Type 1 and 2 coins.
The Type 3 coin came about when the denomination was changed
from TWENTY D. to TWENTY DOLLARS in 1877. In 1900 a new hub
was made by Engraver Charles Barber. It had a smoother back
of the eagle’s head that lacked feathers that projected.
In 1978 staff members of the
American Numismatic Association noticed that on the coins
of 1850 to 1858, LIBERTY was spelled LLBERTY. Two Ls were
used instead of the LI. For more than 100 years, no one noticed
or reported this spelling error, which was corrected in 1859.
Other changes to the obverse were also made. The designer’s
initials, J.B.L., were move, and there were other minor changes
as well. In 1877, when the denomination was changed, there
were also small changes to the obverse, the most noticeable
of which were the positions of the head and the stars.
In total there are three different
obverse designs and five different reverses.
Specifications: Weight: 33.436 grams Composition: .900 gold, .100 copper Net weight: .96750 oz. AGW Diameter: 34 mm Edge: reeded
