1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

The 1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins were struck in the sizable quantity of 1.4 million pieces across the three mints then striking $20 gold coins: Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco, with the latter striking the bulk of that year’s output. What this means is that for the 1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins, there are three different varieties you can get your hands on.
The 1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin weighs 33.44 grams and contain 0.9613 ounces of gold. With a diameter of 34 millimeters, Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins are heavy gold coins that appeals to bullion investors but coin collectors alike.
When it comes to collectors, it is imperative that the coins are in great condition. Right then and there, however, is quite the challenge as most surviving Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins quite clearly show their age.

Grading the 1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

For collectors, the idea of a coin from the 1800’s is a scary one simply because of all the time this coin has had to become damaged. Thanks to this, collectors pour over the surfaces of these coins in order to see any damage. After close inspection, collectors look to determine which coins are worth purchasing and which ones are not.

Under normal circumstances, a person looking to find out the exact condition of their coins is going to have them graded by a professional coin-grading organization. This is an expensive process, and because of that we have provided below specifications of the characteristics of the different popular coin grades.

Uncirculated: A coin determined to be Uncirculated is one that has spent no time at all being exchanged. These coins have been well-preserved and were kept out of harm’s way throughout the duration of their existence. For collectors, these are the most sought after coins because they are in excellent condition.

Extremely Fine: A coin that is graded as being Extremely Fine is one that spent almost no time in circulation. These coins have been well-preserved throughout the entirety of their existence, but will show some light signs of wear. For collectors, these coins are also extremely popular for collectors.

Fine: A coin that is graded as being Fine is one that spent a good amount of time in circulation. These coins will have a good amount of damage, but they will not be in the worst condition. All in all, Fine coins are a perfect addition to any collection.

Good: A coin that is graded as being Good is one that spent a long time in circulation. These coins have had ample time to become damaged and will show plenty of signs of damage. For collectors, these are not the most desirable, but they are a perfect addition to any complete coin collection.

Pricing the 1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

For coins as old as the 1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin, collectors are first going to concern themselves with the condition of the coin. Thanks to this, the overall condition of the coin will be the first determinant of price. Secondly, because there were different types of coins produced every year, the exact type you own will play into the price. Listed below is a chart outlining what you can expect to pay for a Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin given its type and condition.

Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin	N/A	N/A	$2,250	$3,250
1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (O)	N/A	N/A	$5,500	$12,000
1857 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (S)	N/A	N/A	$2,250	$2,850
Source: Red Book