1876-S $20 Liberty PCGS AU55

Introduction

The 1876-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a commanding example of classic American gold coinage from the nation’s Centennial era. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this issue reflects the strength of the U.S. economy and the global role of American gold during the late 19th century. Certified PCGS AU55, this coin offers strong remaining detail, pleasing surfaces, and authentic circulation character typical of well-preserved double eagles.

History

The Liberty Head Double Eagle series was produced from 1850 through 1907 and served as the backbone of large-scale commercial transactions and international trade. By 1876, San Francisco had firmly established itself as the primary mint for double eagle production, supported by vast Western gold supplies.
Coins dated 1876-S circulated extensively both within the United States and abroad, particularly in Asia and Europe, where U.S. gold was widely trusted. Many examples were later melted or heavily worn, making attractive survivors in higher circulated grades like AU55 increasingly desirable to collectors.

Design

Designed by James B. Longacre, the obverse features Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet inscribed with Liberty. Thirteen stars representing the original colonies encircle the portrait, with the date placed below. The design conveys stability and authority, hallmarks of mid-19th-century American coinage.
The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, holding an olive branch and arrows as symbols of peace and preparedness. The inscriptions United States of America and Twenty D. frame the design, with the S mintmark visible beneath the eagle. In AU55 condition, this coin retains strong design elements with light, even wear and attractive overall eye appeal.