1873 $20 Liberty Open 3 NGC AU58 CAC
2026/08/01
Fast shipping. Highly recommended!
2026/07/31
Convenient.
2026/07/31
Great prices and service!
2026/07/31
So far, so good. Not complete yet.
2026/07/31
Ok experience so far good price, will update upon arrival
2026/07/30
Excellent product selection and delivery. Very helpful company.
Introduction
The 1873 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Open 3 is an important transitional issue in the Liberty Head Double Eagle series. Certified NGC AU58 and approved by CAC, this attractive pre-1933 gold coin exhibits strong eye appeal with only slight evidence of circulation. Featuring the desirable Open 3 date variety, it represents one of the most sought-after issues of 1873 and offers collectors an exceptional combination of rarity, historical significance, and premium quality.
History
The year 1873 marked a pivotal moment in United States coinage. Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1873, legislation that modernized the nation's minting system while making several significant changes to American coinage. During that same year, the Philadelphia Mint modified the date punch used on dies, resulting in two distinct varieties known today as the "Open 3" and "Closed 3."
The Open 3 variety was struck first and is easily identified by the wider spacing within the numeral "3." Although both varieties circulated widely during America's westward expansion and the growth of international commerce, the Open 3 has become especially desirable among collectors as an important one-year subtype. Certified examples with CAC approval are particularly sought after for their originality, eye appeal, and quality within their assigned grade.
Design
The obverse features Christian Gobrecht's iconic portrait of Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies with the date positioned below. The elegant design became one of the defining images of nineteenth-century American gold coinage and remained in production for nearly sixty years.
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings holding an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing the nation's commitment to both peace and strength. Surrounding the eagle are the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TWENTY D., IN GOD WE TRUST, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. Together, the classic Liberty Head design reflects the artistry and enduring legacy of America's largest circulating gold denomination.
| Year | 1873 |
|---|---|
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Metal | Gold |
| Grade | AU58 |
| Fineness | .900 |
| Weight | 0.9675 |
| 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.
