1876 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

The Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin was minted in high numbers, more than 2.3 million coins were made, with the San Francisco mint handling much of the production. Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins were mainly used in the West, although, some did see moderate circulation along the eastern seaboard. Keep in mind, $20 was a lot of money in the 1800’s. In essence, these coins were mainly used during large transactions, most often banking related.

The Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins heavy weight and large size help ensure their popularity among both numismatists and bullion investors alike. The 1876 coin was the last to show the value of the coin as “TWENTY D.” on the reverse.

Grading the 1876 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

The grading of a coin is an intricate process that involves many steps. Teams of expert coin graders put coins through the grading process. This process will verify the coin’s metal content as well as its authenticity. A number of visual inspections will also be performed. In the end, however, it is these graders that will assign a final grade to a coin. You can get a great idea of how your coin may be graded by performing a close inspection of the coin’s surfaces while keeping an eye out for any scratches or imperfections.

Listed below are the different popular coin grades as well as their characteristics. This exists in order to give you a better idea of what coins of a certain grade might look like.

Uncirculated: Coins that are in uncirculated condition will have surfaces and details that look new and unscathed. Uncirculated coins are essentially in brand new condition and show no signs of having been touched or handled. All images and text are fully intact and have not experienced any erosion. In fact, these coins look and feel as if they were just minted today. You can examine your own coins with a magnifying glass to see if any of the coin’s details have scratches or damage.

Extremely Fine: A coin in extremely fine condition may have some minor imperfections on the surface. Text or imagery on the coin may show some erosion, and the coin’s finish may not have the same luster. Some of these imperfections may be visible, while some are not. That being said, a coin in extremely fine condition is just one step below uncirculated, and will still be visually appealing and potentially very valuable.

Fine: A coin that is in fine condition has some significant damage. The coin’s surfaces may feel eroded, and the text or images may also show wear and tear. The color or tone of the coin may be affected as well, and these coins may lack shine or luster.

Good: A coin that is in good condition may be very worn and have significant scratches or dents. The coin’s color may also appear faded. Sometimes, coins in good condition require a magnifying glass or microscope to see and identify the details. Even with these imperfections, coins in fine condition may be very valuable and may be coveted by collectors and coin enthusiasts depending on the coin type and other factors.

Pricing the 1876 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

When it comes to coins that are more than one hundred years old, determining a price is something that is not as difficult as you might think it is. For one, because there were multiple types of these coins minted every year, the exact type you own will help determine the price. Secondly, because condition means everything to collectors, the better preserved the coin is, the higher the asking price will be. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what you can expect to pay for a 1876 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin given its condition and type.

Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1876 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (CC)	N/A	N/A	$3,000	$4,000
1876 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (S)	N/A	N/A	$1,650	$1,675
Source: Red Book