1906 Liberty Head Double Eagle

2.7 million 1906 double eagles were made, which is a significant sum by every measure, though a far higher figure than the number of 1906 $20 gold coins that exists today. 1906 would mark the first year that the Denver mint struck double eagle gold coins and the last full year that Liberty Head $20 coins, designed by James B. Longacre, were produced. They would be replaced by a full-figure design of Miss Liberty by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1907.

Here is a breakdown of the mintages and values of 1906 double eagle gold coins:

• 1906, 69,596; $2,885

• 1906-D, 620,250; $2,885

• 1906-S, 2,065,750; $2,885

• 1906 proof, 94; $200,000

*Values are for coins in a grade of Extremely Fine 40 unless otherwise specified.

As a rule with virtually all pre-1933 United States gold coins, many fewer 1906 Liberty Head double eagles exist today than were originally minted. This is due to the fact that many gold coins have been melted over the years. It’s therefore wise for coin collectors to buy 1904 $20 gold coins that have been properly graded and authenticated by reputable third-party coin certification companies. These firms include the American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS), Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).