1873 $20 Liberty Open 3 PCGS AU50

Introduction

The 1873 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle Open 3 graded PCGS AU50 is an attractive example of a distinctive 19th-century U.S. gold variety. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in .900 fine gold, this Type II Double Eagle contains nearly one troy ounce of pure gold. Its AU50 grade from Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) recognizes a well-preserved circulated example with substantial original detail remaining.

History

The Liberty Head Double Eagle was introduced in 1850 following the California Gold Rush, when an influx of newly mined gold helped create the need for a larger denomination U.S. gold coin. With a face value of $20, the Double Eagle became an important vehicle for converting gold into federal coinage and remained in production until 1907.

Two major date varieties were produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1873: Closed 3 and Open 3. The original Closed 3 style was criticized because the final digit could resemble an 8, prompting the Mint to modify the numeral with a wider opening. The resulting Open 3 variety is distinguished by the greater separation between the upper and lower portions of the final digit. The Philadelphia Mint struck 1,709,800 examples of the Open 3 variety, which is considerably more readily encountered today than its Closed 3 counterpart.

Design

The obverse features Liberty facing left and wearing a coronet inscribed with LIBERTY. Thirteen stars representing the original states surround the portrait, while the distinctive Open 3 date appears below.

The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with a shield across its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows. Thirteen stars and rays appear above the eagle beneath the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY D. identify the issuing nation and denomination. As a Philadelphia issue, the coin carries no mintmark.