1900 Double Eagle (1900 $20) PCGS MS63. This turn-of-the-century, champagne 1900 double eagle shimmers with brilliant luster on both sides. Encapsulated in an OGH PCGS holder, we see a few contact marks on Libertys face and a few on the reverse. These marks probably keep the coin from a higher mint state grade. The strike is full on the obverse, and almost so on the reverse.

This type 3 double eagle incorporated the motto IN GOD WE TRUST in the circle of arrows above the eagle in 1866 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. This addition did not cause crowding of the design because it was only necessary to enlarge the circle to accommodate the motto within it.

The denomination was also changed in 1877 from the abbreviated version to the words, TWENTY DOLLARS.
The double eagle was authorized by Congress in 1849 because of the large discoveries of gold in California. Large quantities of gold were coming into the Mint for conversion into coinage. It was felt that a double eagle would greatly facilitate large domestic or international transactions. At a weight of 33.44 grams, they would be comparable to several gold coinages in use in Latin America.