Liberty Head $20
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Spanning 1849 to 1907, the Liberty Head $20 catalog contains 201 year-and-mintmark variants. Across the series, the key date is the 1849 Liberty Head $20 at just 1 struck and the highest-value variant is the 1870-CC Liberty Head $20 at up to $2,500,000 in top grade.
Liberty Head $20 · All Strikes Mintage by Year
Peak 11MCombined mintage per year across every strike type (circulated, proof, and specimen) and all mintmarks.
About the Liberty Head $20
The Liberty Head $20 gold coin, produced by the United States Mint from 1849 to and including 1907, was an important part of American currency during the late 19th century. The design is unique, showing Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with the word "Liberty" on the obverse, and a heraldic eagle on the reverse.
The coin, struck in .900 fine gold, has a diameter of 34 millimeters and a total weight of 33.436 grams (1.046 troy ounces). It was designed by sculptor James B. Longacre and was the first U.S. coin to feature the motto “In God We Trust”.
During its long production period, the Liberty Head coin was issued in several varieties. The initial 1849 coins had a Plain 4- and a Draped-Bust of Lady Liberty design, as well as some coins with a Reverse of 1802 design. The 1849-C coins were the first to bear the now iconic Liberty Head, modeled after a Greek statue at the Virginia State Capitol.
The 1849-C coins featured a lettered edge, while subsequent designs had a lettered and reeded edge. The mintmark is placed on the lower reverse, if present. Among the mintmarks used, the "C" indicates coins produced at Charlotte, North Carolina, the "D" origin of the Denver, Colorado, mint and the "S" mark of the San Francisco, California, mint.
The Liberty Head $20 gold coin is a rare and highly sought-after coin. It is estimated that around 7.5 million Liberty Head gold coins were issued, with surviving examples often selling at auctions for large sums of money. The coin is an important part of American numismatics and its history.
Most-collected Liberty Head $20 coins on LuckyCoin
Looking for coins from a specific year across every denomination? Browse US coin values by year →
Which Liberty Head $20 coins do collectors actually own? See the 2026 rarity & ownership report →
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Liberty Head $20 minted?
- The Liberty Head $20 was minted by United States from 1849 to 1907.
- How many Liberty Head $20 coins were minted?
- Across every year and mintmark, approximately 104,030,342 Liberty Head $20 coins were struck.
- What mintmarks exist for the Liberty Head $20?
- Liberty Head $20 coins were struck with the following mintmarks: CC, D, O, S. Some years were also produced without a mintmark.
- What is the Liberty Head $20 made of?
- The Liberty Head $20 is made of gold (.900) (.100 copper), weighs 33.436 grams, and measures 34 mm in diameter.
- How much is a Liberty Head $20 worth?
- Value depends on year, mintmark, and condition. Common dates in average circulated condition trade for near face value, while the rarest varieties in top grade can fetch up to $2,500,000. See individual year pages for grade-by-grade estimates.