shopper approved
    2244.92
    44.43
    25.17
    0.39
    924.93
    16.63
    1051
    30.33

    1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

    For the first time since 1861, three mint facilities struck the 1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins, producing over 1 million coins. However, in 1870, New Orleans was replaced by Carson City (CC), meaning the coins were minted in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Carson City (CC). Gold coins were mainly used in the West, and the Carson City mint was well positioned to the fill the need of supplying circulating gold coins where they were most in demand. With that said, relatively few gold coins came from the Carson City mint.

    The 1869 $20 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 heavy weight and large size make them very popular among coin collectors and investors alike.

    Grading the 1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

    The Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin, being produced more than 100 years ago, is a coin that has been subjected to any number of different bits of damage. Whether it be wear and tear from years of circulation or other, unforeseen types of damage, these coins have been through a lot.

    For most, having the condition of a coin judged is no more difficult than sending the coin away for grading. With that being said, however, not everyone is able to afford sending their coin away for grading and, as such, we have provided below an outline of the different popular coin grades as well as their characteristics.

    Uncirculated: A coin determined as being Uncirculated is one that did not spend any time at all on the open exchange market. Instead, these coins were kept in safekeeping and out of harm’s way. For collectors, these are the most desirable pieces due to the fact that they have been so well-preserved. Unfortunately, this also often means that these coins are the most expensive as well.

    Extremely Fine: A coin that is determined to be of Extremely Fine grade is one that spent almost no time at all on the open market. Though you may be able to make out light signs of wear, the coins will, for the most part, appear to be pristine. These coins are also quite the acquisition for any and all collectors.

    Fine: Fine is a middle of the road grade given to coins that have been damaged due to circulation, but not so heavily damaged that the surfaces of the coin are completely taken away from. Though the raised aspects of the coin may have been smoothed a bit due to the exchanging of hands over the years, the rest of the coin’s imagery and texture will be for the most part intact.

    Good: Good is the lowest grade a coin can receive and is often indicative of a piece that has been very heavily damaged. These coins will show anything from deep scratching to the actual bending of the coin itself. All in all, these pieces have seen their better days and are not the most attractive from an aesthetic point of view.

    Pricing the 1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

    When it comes to determining a price for the 1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin, there are a few different factors you have to take into consideration. For one, because there were multiple editions of this coin produced every year, the exact type of coin you have will play into the asking price. Secondly, because collectors are so concerned with a coin’s condition, this will also play heavily in determining an asking price. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what you might be asked to pay for a 1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin given its condition and type.

    Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

    DATE GOOD FINE EXTREMELY FINE UNCIRCULATED
    1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin N/A N/A $1,725 $2,500
    1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (CC) N/A N/A $275,000 $325,000
    1870 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (S) N/A N/A $1,725 $1,775
    Source: Red Book

    All Market Updates are provided as a third party analysis and do not necessarily reflect the explicit views of JM Bullion Inc. and should not be construed as financial advice.