Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
The Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a twenty-dollar gold coin, or double eagle, produced by the United States Mint from 1907 to 1933. The coin is named after its designer, the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed the obverse and reverse. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of U.S. coins.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt sought to beautify American coinage, and proposed Saint-Gaudens as an artist capable of the task. Although the sculptor had poor experiences with the Mint and its chief engraver, Charles E. Barber, Saint-Gaudens accepted Roosevelt’s call. The work was subject to considerable delays, due to Saint-Gaudens’s declining health and difficulties because of the high relief of his design. Saint-Gaudens died in 1907, after designing the eagle and double eagle, but before the designs were finalized for production.
After several versions of the design for the double eagle proved too difficult to strike, Barber modified Saint-Gaudens’s design, lowering the relief so the coin could be struck with only one blow. When the coins were finally released, they proved controversial as they lacked the words “In God We Trust”, and Congress intervened to require the motto’s use. The coin was minted, primarily for use in international trade, until 1933. The 1933 double eagle is among the most valuable of U.S. coins, with the sole example currently known to be in private hands selling in 2002 for $7,590,020.
United States | |
Value | 20 United States dollars |
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Mass | 33.431 g |
Diameter | 34.1 mm (1.342 in) |
Edge | lettered “E PLURIBUS UNUM” |
Composition | 90% gold, 10% copper |
Gold | .96750 troy oz |
Years of minting | 1907–1933 |
Mint marks | D, S. Found immediately above the date on the obverse. Philadelphia Mint specimens lack mint mark. |
Obverse | |
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Design | Liberty holding a torch and olive branch, backed by the rays of the sun, the U.S. Capitol visible; 46 stars circle design |
Designer | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
Design date | 1907 |
Design discontinued | 1911 |
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Design | 48 stars |
Designer | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
Design date | 1912 |
Design discontinued | 1933 |
Reverse | |
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Design | An eagle in flight, backed by rays from the sun |
Designer | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
Design date | 1907 |
Design discontinued | 1908 |
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Design | With “In God We Trust” |
Designer | Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
Design date | 1908 |
Design discontinued | 1933 |
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