Saint Gaudens Double Eagle ($20)

The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is often considered one of the best-looking coins in American history, so it’s a popular choice for collectors. This gold coin was initially designed back in 1904 by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was asked to design the coin by President Theodore Roosevelt. Classic American symbolism and a unique story make this one of the most sought-after American coins for collectors.

Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold Piece FAQs

What is a St. Gaudens Gold Coin?

A St. Gaudens Gold Coin is also commonly referred to as a Double Eagle. The double eagle design that many collectors are so fond of was the work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, which is why this is often called a St. Gaudens gold coin. St. Gaudens gold coins feature the Statue of Liberty as well as a double eagle design, making it a powerful piece of American symbolism on either side.

How much gold is in a Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle?

As far as gold goes, the St. Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin contains .9675 troy oz. of gold weight. Interestingly enough, these coins are more pursued for their historical value than the amount of gold they contain. Unlike the American Buffalo and American Gold Eagle, Double Eagle coins can be upwards of 100 years old. Not only that but the design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens was hand-selected by Theodore Roosevelt, bringing a lot of historical significance to this precious coin.

Where can I buy St. Gaudens Gold coins?

St. Gaudens gold coins are collector’s items, and they were only produced from 1907 to 1933. If you want to add a Saint-Gaudens $20 gold piece to your collection, you’ll need to find a coin dealer that has one for sale, such as Birch Gold Group. These coins aren’t produced anymore, and you can’t buy a Saint-Gaudens gold coin from the U.S. Mint. Make sure you choose a reputable coin dealer to make sure you’re getting an authentic Saint-Gaudens coin.

What is the history of the Saint-Gaudens Gold Coin?

Until the start of the 20th Century, the U.S. Mint’s coinage was only designed by employees of the Mint. But that changed in 1904 when President Teddy Roosevelt, in acknowledging that “the state of our coinage is artistically of atrocious hideousness”, commissioned his friend and world-renowned artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens to design a coin with “some beauty”. The exquisite Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle ($20) is the result of these two giants of history and their belief that the United States deserved a coinage as epic as the future that lay before the country.

This $20 gold coin is unusual on several counts. First, the coin was commissioned; it was not struck after an Act of Congress. The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was both presidential and artist-driven in concept and design, with the standing president at the time holding direct power over final designs rather than the director general of the U.S. Mint. Second, it circulated as hard currency, primarily for international accounts. And most unusual, the original minting went into public circulation with only 20,000 coins because the relief was too high. As originally designed, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle coin required nine strikes of the press in order to achieve the high relief Saint-Gaudens had envisioned for the coin. It was struck three different times before it went into full circulation.

This coin has a portrait of Lady Liberty so vibrant, that it set the standard for all coins to come. In fact, you will see renditions of the Saint-Gaudens Walking Liberty on the equally famous Walking Liberty half dollar. On the obverse, Saint-Gaudens laid the foundation for use of a flying bald eagle on a coin. To maintain the balance of the tableaux, Saint-Gaudens chose to edge the coin with “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” rather than engrave it on the face of the coin. Saint-Gaudens’ goal was to create a coin of the caliber of Greek art of antiquity. One look at the 1907 proofs of this breathtaking coin will show that had metal pressing been more efficient at the time, he would have achieved his goal.

Once thought rare, it was subsequently discovered that millions of these $20 gold coins were held in foreign banks around the world; they were only rare at home until 1933 when a significant number were repatriated. While this coin hasn’t been minted since 1933, it’s inspired other coins like the Gold Indian Head Eagle and the American Gold Eagle.

Please note, Birch Gold’s selection of products rotates over time. To learn more about Saint-Gaudens double eagle coins, their availability and current pricing, please call us at (800) 355-2116.