The 1904 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins were produced in huge numbers, nearly 12 million were made. This is the most for any single year during the Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin series. Remarkably, more than half of the 1904 $20 gold coins were made at the Philadelphia mint, which is uncommon given that the San Francisco mint more often struck the bulk of double eagles during any given year.
Even though the Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin was minted in such high numbers, the fact remains – far fewer coins exist today for coin collectors. It is recommended for prospective purchasers to buy 1904 $20 gold coins that have been graded by reputable third-party coin certification companies.
As far as Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins are concerned, the condition of your coin is never going to be guaranteed to be perfect. Not only are these coins very old, they have been circulated for unknown periods of time and have had ample opportunity to become damaged along the way. For this reason, you will notice that competent collectors do everything in their power to assess the condition of a coin before ever making a purchase.
One of the best ways to have the condition of a coin judged is to send it away for grading at the hands of a professional company. Understanding that this is a costly process not able to be afforded by everyone, we have provided below a listing of the different coin grades as well as their characteristics.
Uncirculated: If a coin is determined to be Uncirculated, this means that the piece was never in circulation. Because it never exchanged hands like typical coins do, these pieces will be extremely well-preserved and free from any damage. For collectors, these coins are the best of the best and are an absolutely great addition to any collection.
Extremely Fine: If a coin is determined to be in Extremely Fine condition, the coin in question was circulated for a time, but was taken out of circulation before too much damage could occur. These coins will play host to some light surface damage, but this is most often only able to be viewed under close inspection. In great condition, these coins are also a perfect addition to any collection.
Fine: If a coin is of Fine grade, this means that it was circulated quite extensively but avoided most damage. These coins will have had their surfaces worn down to the point where they are smooth to the touch, but you will notice that the imagery and inscriptions on the coin itself are still able to be viewed.
Good: This is the worst grade a coin can receive and is saved for those pieces that have been heavily and irreversibly damaged. From deep scratching to the bending of the coin itself, the types of damage found on these coins knows no bounds. All in all, these coins are a good addition to any collection, especially for the price.
For coins are more than 100 years old, the condition of that coin is something collectors constantly worry about. The condition of a coin this old very heavily influences price, so it should come as no surprise that well-preserved pieces are valued much more than those that have been damaged. In addition, the type of coin also means a lot to collectors and will play into the asking price. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what you might be asked to pay for a 1904 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin given its condition and type.
Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin
DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
---|---|---|---|---|
1904 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin | N/A | N/A | $1,475 | $1,485 |
1904 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin (S) | N/A | N/A | $1,475 | $1,485 | Source: Red Book |