1868-S $20 (1868 Double Eagle) PCGS AU55. Type 2 Double Eagle. This premium quality, branch mint double eagle has the look of a coin that could grade several points higher. The strike is full on both sides as seen by the full details on the centers of the stars on the obverse and the eagle and other reverse devices. The coin shows bright mint luster in its protected areas and sufficient separation in the lines of Libertys hair and coronet to warrant the grade.

The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the original coin by enlarging the oval of stars above the eagles head and placing the motto in it. This modification did not require a major alteration of the design as was the case with adding the motto to the lower denominations. It was made at the behest of Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of Treasury and Congress because of pressure brought about by the Reverend M.R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania.

Originally all of the United States coinage was secular. However, in the first sixty or so years of the United States existence, religious life became more important to the populace. By 1860, twenty-three percent of the population belonged to a church or had some kind of religious affiliation. Groups such as the National Reform Association wanted to amend the Constitution to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as the source of all power and authority in government. The amendment was unsuccessful; however, the sentiment to bring religion into government remained strong. President Abraham Lincoln chose James Pollock to be the Mint Director in 1861. He served until 1867. Pollock was in favor of the idea that the nation depended on the will of God. It wasnt until the newly designed double eagles of Augusts Saint-Gaudens that the motto was briefly omitted in 1907 because of President Theodore Roosevelts objection to it.