1873 $20 Liberty Open 3 PCGS MS62

Introduction

The 1873 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Open 3 is one of the most desirable transitional issues in the Liberty Head Double Eagle series. Certified PCGS MS62, this Mint State example showcases exceptional detail, original luster, and outstanding eye appeal. Featuring the coveted Open 3 date variety, the coin represents an important chapter in American numismatic history and is a prized acquisition for collectors of pre-1933 U.S. gold.

History

The year 1873 marked a turning point in United States coinage. The passage of the Coinage Act of 1873 modernized the nation's minting system while introducing several changes to American coin production. During that same year, the Philadelphia Mint revised the date punch used on dies, creating two distinct varieties known today as the Open 3 and Closed 3.
The Open 3 variety was produced first and is easily identified by the wider spacing within the numeral "3." Because the design was later modified, collectors often seek both varieties, with the Open 3 recognized as an important one-year subtype. Mint State examples are especially desirable, as many Double Eagles of the era saw extensive use in domestic commerce and international trade before being melted or exported. Today, high-grade survivors certified by PCGS are highly sought after for their rarity, originality, and historical significance.

Design

The obverse features Christian Gobrecht's timeless portrait of Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original states with the date positioned below. The graceful design became one of the most enduring images in American coinage, appearing on the Liberty Head Double Eagle for nearly six decades.
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. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TWENTY D., IN GOD WE TRUST, and E PLURIBUS UNUM complete the design. As a Type II Double Eagle, the coin includes the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, which was added to the reverse beginning in 1866.