$335,000.00 USD
– SOLDThe 1896 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle was minted during a transformative period in U.S. history. The nation was rapidly industrializing, and the Gilded Age brought unprecedented economic growth alongside social disparities. Gold played a central role in the economy, especially following the Coinage Act of 1873, which established the gold standard and reinforced the importance of gold coinage like the Double Eagle.
By 1896, Double Eagles had become the largest-denomination gold coins in regular production, used for large-scale transactions and reserves. Proof specimens were not intended for circulation but were struck with extraordinary care for collectors, dignitaries, and special presentations. That year, the Philadelphia Mint produced only 128 proof examples, catering to a small, elite group of buyers who could afford such a luxury.
The obverse, designed by James B. Longacre, features a classical rendition of Lady Liberty. She is depicted wearing a coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY, symbolizing enlightenment and freedom. Surrounding Liberty are 13 stars, representing the original colonies, and the date "1896" positioned at the bottom.
The reverse showcases a magnificent heraldic eagle, also designed by Longacre. The eagle holds an olive branch and arrows in its talons, symbolizing a balance of peace and readiness for defense. A ribbon in its beak bears the national motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, introduced during the Civil War.
