The $20 gold coin in the United States includes the Liberty Head and the Saint Gaudens. They were produced from 1849-1933 by the U.S. Mint. Each has 10% copper alloy in them. The edge of the Liberty is reeded and the edge of the Saint Gaudens is lettered. The gold content was fixed at .9675 ounce which equaled its $20 value in gold weight. They were given the name “Double Eagle” since they were double the size of the popular $10 “Eagle.”
History
Only a few Liberty Head coins were minted in 1849 but regular production began in 1850. This first design is known as the “No Motto” design because it does not have “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the back.
The next version, “With Motto”, included “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the back. They were produced from 1866-1876. The final modification took place in 1877. More detail was added to Liberty’s face and hair. On the reverse the value was changed from “TWENTY D” to “TWENTY DOLLARS.”
In 1906 President Roosevelt asked Augustus Saint-Gaudens to come up with a new design for the $20 gold coin. Roosevelt wanted it to be in the likeness of ancient Greek coins and reflect America as a dominant world leader. Saint-Gaudens came up with several choices and Roosevelt chose the “High Relief” design. It features a full length view of Liberty on the obverse and a flying eagle on the reverse. With the “high relief” the coins would not stack without wobbling so the design was modified by Charles Barber to a “flat relief” version. The first “flat relief” designs were produced with 1907 and 1908 dates.
The Saint-Gaudens design included both “with motto” and “without motto” versions. Congress had passed a law in 1866 requiring “IN GOD WE TRUST” to be on all United States coinage, including 20 dollar gold coins. However, Roosevelt felt that it was sacrilegious to have “God” appear on money since it could be used for gambling, immoral transactions, and also be thrown on the ground. He ordered that “IN GOD WE TRUST” be omitted. Thus, some produced in 1907 and 1908 are “without motto.” Congress over-ruled Roosevelt in 1908 and the “with motto” law was upheld. They continued to be minted until 1933 when Roosevelt outlawed United States citizens to have private ownership of gold. All coins were recalled and production ended. The 1933 Saint-Gaudens were never officially released.
Other Information
The Liberty Head and Saint Gaudens $20 gold coins are both widely recognized throughout the world. Both versions were used by all members of America, from the man on the street to international business transactions. Of all the gold coins for sale, this design has been considered by some to be the most beautiful ever produced.
