The 1879 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins are relatively common, as 1.4 million pieces were originally struck, and a decent number survive today. For the first time, four mints produced Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins; Philadelphia, Carson City, San Francisco and New Orleans. This would also mark the first time since 1861 that the New Orleans mint struck Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins.
Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins were designed by James B. Longacre, who served as the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1844 through 1869. The gold coin weighs 33.44 grams and contain 0.9613 ounces of gold. They’re also 34 millimeters wide, which places their diameter about halfway between the widths of a modern-day half dollar and silver dollar. The double eagle’s large size and heavy weight make them very popular among coin collectors and investors alike.

Grading the 1879 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

Coin grading is performed by expert numismatists or a team of numismatists. The process is rigid, and there are many steps involved in it. A Grading company will verify the coin’s metal content and authenticity. They will also perform multiple physical inspections of the coin. A coin’s final grade, however, will be the opinion of coin experts that have examined the coin. You can get a very good idea of how your coin may be graded by thoroughly inspecting your coin while looking for any damage or signs of wear and tear.

Use the specifications below to determine how your Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin might be graded.

Uncirculated:A coin in uncirculated condition will have no signs of damage and no scratches to the surface. These coins will look brand new, as if they just came out of the mint today. The coin’s details, will appear freshly struck and will not feel worn to the touch. All lines and even small details will appear crisp and clean. You can use a magnifying glass to examine the details of your coin. A close look will show you if the coin’s details remain in new condition or of any wear or damage has taken place.

Extremely Fine:A step just below the uncirculated grade, a coin in extremely fine condition may have some visible wear and tear on the coin’s surface. Certain details may appear to be worn down, and the coin may have a different feel to it. That being said, a coin in extremely fine condition remains beautiful and looks to be in near-perfect condition.

Fine:A coin that is in fine condition shows noticeable wear and tear. The coin’s text, images or other details may have scratches or damage and the coin’s finish may appear to be less shiny. These coins generally show their age.

Good:A coin that is in good condition may have severe damage to the faces, and this damage may make it difficult to simply determine what is on the coin. In fact, the damage may require use of a magnifying glass or other visual aid to make out certain details on the coin. In addition, any text on the coin may be unreadable. Despite this, coins in fine condition may be very valuable depending on their type, year, relative scarcity and other factors.

Pricing the 1879 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

Determining a price for the Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin is no major feat so long as you take a few different factors into consideration. For one, there were multiple types of Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins minted every year and the specific type of coin you possess will play into the asking price. Secondly, collectors care so much about the condition of the coin that this also plays into the asking price. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what to expect to pay for an 1879 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin given its condition and type.