1874 Double Eagle (1874 $20, Type 2 Double Eagle), PCGS MS62. Lots of bright mint luster glistens on this 1874 Type 2 Double Eagle. A little light chatter on Libertys cheek and on the reverse keeps this coin from a higher mint state grade. There are also some luster graze marks and light patina, which are in keeping with the grade. The coin is actually quite clean considering that this date is usually seen heavily bag-marked. The strike is strong on both sides with every detail apparent and easy to see.

Designed by James Longacre, the double eagle shows a Liberty head in profile facing left wearing coronet inscribed LIBERTY. Her hair is tightly tied in the back with two loose curls hanging down her neck to the end of the truncation. She is surrounded by thirteen six pointed stars with the date below. Dentils are near the edge on both sides of the coin. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with elaborate ribbons on both sides of the shield extending from the top corner down to the eagles tail feathers. The ribbons are inscribed, on the left E PLURIBUS and UNUM on the right. The ribbons were added to the design to symbolize the denomination since this was the first double eagle coin. There is an oval of thirteen stars above the eagles head and an arc of rays from wing tip to wing tip behind the upper half of the oval. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc above the eagle, and the denomination TWENTY D. is below.

In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the double eagle by enlarging the oval of stars 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.