A $20 Gold Double Eagle contains 0.9675 troy oz of pure gold, worth $3,866.97 at today's spot price.
The $20 double eagle was the largest US gold coin in regular use. The Liberty Head design ran from 1850 to 1907, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens' design, often called the most beautiful US coin, from 1907 to 1933.
Melt values use these spot prices (US dollars):
- Gold $3,996.90 per troy oz Current quote · Quote time Oct 24, 2:40 AM EDT
Some prices could not be refreshed recently and may be out of date.
Melt value is the metal content at spot price, not a buy or sell price. Collectible coins can be worth much more. For reference only.
Specifications
| Specification | Liberty Head (1850–1907) | Saint-Gaudens (1907–1933) |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 1850–1907 | 1907–1933 |
| Face value | $20 | $20 |
| Composition | 90% gold, 10% copper | 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Gross weight | 33.436 g | 33.436 g |
| Fineness | .900 (90%) | .900 (90%) |
| Pure metal | 0.9675 troy oz (30.092 g) | 0.9675 troy oz (30.092 g) |
| Diameter | 34 mm | 34 mm |
How the melt value is worked out
Melt value is the pure gold in the coin multiplied by the spot price. We use the coin's standard minted weight; worn coins weigh slightly less.
-
Liberty Head (1850–1907): 33.436 g × .900 fine ÷ 31.1035 g per troy oz = 0.9675 troy oz
0.9675 troy oz × $3,996.90 spot = $3,866.97 -
Saint-Gaudens (1907–1933): 33.436 g × .900 fine ÷ 31.1035 g per troy oz = 0.9675 troy oz
0.9675 troy oz × $3,996.90 spot = $3,866.97
How to identify it
- Liberty Head coins show Liberty wearing a coronet. Saint-Gaudens coins show a full-length Liberty striding forward with a torch.
- A genuine double eagle weighs 33.44 g and measures 34 mm. Anything noticeably lighter is suspect.
Melt value vs. collector value
Pre-1934 US gold coins almost always sell for more than melt, even in worn condition, and scarce dates can be worth many times their gold. Gold coins are also a common target for counterfeiters, so buy from reputable sources.
Related tools
Sources
- US Mint: Domestic and Foreign Coins Manufactured by Mints of the United States, 1792–1965 — checked 2026-10-22
- Coinage Act of 1873 (17 Stat. 424) — checked 2026-10-22