1868 $20 Liberty NGC XF45 CAC
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Introduction
The 1868 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle graded NGC XF45 CAC is a scarce Philadelphia Mint issue from the Type II era of the series. Struck in 90% gold, the coin contains nearly one troy ounce of pure gold and represents a comparatively low-mintage issue of the classic $20 denomination. Its XF45 grade reflects an example with moderate circulation wear and remaining design detail, while CAC approval recognizes its quality and eye appeal within the assigned grade.
History
The Liberty Head Double Eagle was introduced in 1850 following the discovery of large quantities of gold during the California Gold Rush. Designed by James B. Longacre, the $20 denomination provided an efficient way to convert newly mined gold into federal coinage and became important for banking, commerce, and international payments.
Only 98,575 business-strike Double Eagles were produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1868, a substantially smaller output than the 837,500 coins struck at San Francisco that year. Many Double Eagles of the period served in large financial transactions and international trade, contributing to the scarcity of surviving examples today.
The 1868 issue belongs to the Type II Liberty Head Double Eagle design used from 1866 through 1876. This version introduced the motto IN GOD WE TRUST to the reverse while retaining the abbreviated denomination TWENTY D. used on earlier Liberty Head Double Eagles.
Design
The obverse features James B. Longacre's portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars representing the original states surround the portrait, with the date 1868 positioned below. As a Philadelphia Mint issue, the coin carries no mintmark.
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with a Union shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch. The Type II design incorporates the motto IN GOD WE TRUST above the eagle within a field of stars and rays. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY D. identify the issuing nation and denomination.
| Year | 1868 |
|---|---|
| Metal | Gold |
| Grade | XF45 |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Weight | 0.9675 |
| Fineness | .900 |
| Diameter | 34mm |
A LITTLE STICKER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Within each number of the coin grading scale is a small range of condition from low-end to high-end. Certified coins of the same grade can be of varying quality. Many of today’s collectors want coins that are solid or premium quality for their assigned grade. CAC holds coins to a higher standard so you can be confident in the value of yours. We verify previously graded coins … and award our sticker only to those coins that meet the standard for today’s selective buyer.
WHAT THE CAC STICKER MEANS:
- Verified. Your coin has been verified as meeting the standard for strict quality within its grade.
- Guaranteed. CAC stands behind our verification.
THE CAC STICKER IS BACKED BY EXPERIENCE.
CAC was founded by leading members of the numismatic community, including John Albanese, a respected authority on coin grading and the rare coin market.
Comparison Chart
