$20 Gold Double Eagle Liberty Head Type II - Extra Fine XF (Random Year, 1866-1876)

Own a tangible piece of America’s Reconstruction-era legacy with the $20 Liberty Head Gold Double Eagle Type II, minted from 1866 to 1876. Struck from .900 fine gold, this historic coin contains .9675 troy ounces of gold and represents a pivotal evolution in U.S. coinage—the first appearance of the now-iconic “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto on the $20 denomination.

Designed by James B. Longacre, this coin's obverse showcases Lady Liberty crowned with a pearl-studded coronet, encircled by thirteen stars honoring the original colonies. The reverse features a majestic heraldic eagle with a shielded breast, clutching arrows and olive branches, symbolizing America’s strength and peace.

Specifications:

• Gold Content: .9675 troy ounces of .900 fine gold
• Condition: Extra Fine (XF)
• Face Value: $20 USD, fully backed by the U.S. government
• Design Type: Type II (With Motto)
• Mint Locations: Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City
• Obverse: depicts leftward facing Lady Liberty wearing a pearl-studded Coronet with “LIBERTY” inscribed on it. Encircled by 13 stars to represent the 13 original colonies of the US. At the bottom is the year of mintage
• Reverse:  Features a heraldic eagle with an ornate shield on its breast and holding olive branches and arrows in its talons, a design inspired by the Great Seal of United States. 13 stars form a halo over the eagle’s head inside which is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

Introduced immediately following the Civil War, the Type II Liberty Head Double Eagle reflects a turning point in American history. The addition of “IN GOD WE TRUST” was not just a design change—it marked a cultural shift in the nation’s spiritual and political identity during Reconstruction. These coins circulated widely, fueling commerce and gold-backed trade in a rapidly rebuilding economy.

Produced at several key U.S. Mint locations, including the legendary Carson City Mint, these coins carry varied historical significance depending on their origin. With the transition to the Type III design in 1877, the Type II series remains a relatively short-lived and highly collectible chapter in pre-1933 U.S. gold coinage.

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