Gold Double Eagle Coins

By Michael Zielinski

On March 3, 1849, the United States Congress passed a new act
which allowed for the creation of a new $20 gold and $1 gold
coin. The new $20 coin called the “gold double eagle” would be
the largest denomination of any regular circulating US coin.

Gold Double Eagles were minted between 1849 and 1933. The term
“double eagle” was specifically used in the authorizing
legislation from Congress passed on March 3, 1849. $10 face
value coins were already being produced and were referred to as
“gold eagles.” Thus the new coin with twice the value and gold
content was referred to as the “double eagle.

The first double eagle was dated in 1849, the same year as the
California Gold Rush. Although the coin carried this date, it
was actually minted one year earlier in 1850. The first double
eagle produced now resides in the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington, DC. There were two regular series of Double Eagles
produced. They were the Liberty Head series and Saint Gaudens
series.

The Liberty Head series was produced between 1849 and 1907.
These coins had a weight of 33.436 grams with a standard
composition of 90% gold and 10% copper. The net gold weight was
.96750 ounces. The coins had a diameter of 34 millimeters and
were minted at the Philadelphia, Carson City, Denver, New
Orleans, and San Francisco Mints.

The Saint Gaudens series was produced between 1907 and 1933. The
coins take their name from the designer, Augustus Saint Gaudens.
They share the same specifications as the prior series and were
minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. The
Saint Gaudens Double Eagle is widely considered to be the most
beautiful U.S. coin. The same design is currently used on the
American Gold Eagle Bullion Coins.

About the author:
Michael Zielinski is an internet entrepreneur and coin
collecting. Find more information on the US Mint or find
resources on how to buy gold coins.