Double Eagle Gold Coin  Specs: The Gold Double Eagle coin measures 34 mm in diameter and contains .9675 ounce of gold in an alloy of 90% gold and 10% copper. The $20 Gold Eagle: Between 1850 and 1933, U.S. mints turned out more than 165 million Double Eagles. The first double eagle was minted in 1849, coinciding with the California Gold Rush. In 1850 regular production began and continued until 1933. Prior to 1850, eagles with a denomination of $10 were the largest denomination of US coin. $10 eagles were produced beginning in 1795, just two years after the first U.S. mint opened. Since the $20 gold piece had twice the value of the eagle, these coins were designated "double eagles". The double eagle was minted in two designs; the liberty "coronet" head pictured above on the left and the St. Gaudens, pictured above on the right. The liberty head was the first minted but due to its less desirable artwork it was replaced in 1907. Double Eagle vs. American Eagle: Investors new to the gold coin market often confuse the Double Eagles with the modern Gold Eagle, which the U.S. Mint began producing in 1986 for sale to gold bullion investors. Any initial confusion is understandable because of the similarity of the coins, as both coins carry the famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens' design of Lady Liberty. The main thing to keep in mind is that the double eagle is only 96% of an ounce of gold and the american eagle is a full troy ounce of gold. Double eagles are also a piece of american history as they were once used in circulation and American Eagles, although they have a face value of $50 are intended for investment in gold only. Why invest in double eagles? Investment choices are a personal one and we try not to encourage our buyers to invest one way or the other but just supply them with ample information so they can make their own decision. Many people like to buy double eagles as a form of investment when the coin is selling for little over its value in gold; that way they are getting a piece of american history with their gold. Keep in mind that some double eagles, often referred to as "melters" sell for little over their gold value (during economic stable times) and others have high numismatic value and sell for far more than their gold value.
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