1877 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

The 1877 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin was minted in high numbers, more than 2.1 million coins were made, and they remain somewhat common today. The San Francisco mint produced the majority of coins, Philadelphia made a moderate number and Carson City producing under 50,000.
The 1877 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coins were the first to declare the value of the denomination as “TWENTY DOLLARS” on the reverse instead of “TWENTY D.” as was the case on earlier coins from the series. The 1877 reverse would be the final reverse design used on the Liberty Head $20 gold coin series, which lasted 30 years more, until 1907.

Grading the 1877 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

For collectors, the prospect of purchasing a coin from the 1800s is a daunting one simply because it is impossible to tell what condition the coin might be in. While some pieces have been well-preserved over the years, others have been heavily circulated and have incurred a lot of damage as a result. This is why collectors will always closely analyze a coin’s condition prior to making a purchase.

Normally, the process of analyzing the condition of a coin is something best left to the professionals. Understanding that sending a coin away for grading is an expensive, timely process, we have provided below an outline of the different popular coins grades as well as their characteristics.

Uncirculated: A coin that is in uncirculated condition will show no damage, changes in color or finish or other defects upon examination. In fact, coins in this condition will look as if they were just pulled from the mint’s presses. The coins details, such as text or images, will appear freshly struck and brand new. The coin’s edges will also feel new, while the finish will have a nice luster to it. By using a magnifying glass, you can carefully examine coins in this condition and see all of the intricate details that were stamped onto the blank.

Extremely Fine: A coin that is graded extremely fine is just a step below uncirculated on the grading system. Coins in this condition may have some very minor wear and tear or imperfections, although these may only be seen under a magnifying glass or microscope. Some of the coin’s details may also be slightly worn from handling over the years, and the coin may have a slightly different feel to it. Despite this, these coins are still considered to be in excellent condition and are very attractive.

Fine: A coin in fine condition has some moderate damage, scratches or wear and tear. This damage is usually easily seen with the naked eye. Coins in fine condition may have significant erosion, and they may appear less shiny or even dull.

Good:Coins that are in good condition may have significant damage to their surfaces, and this can make images or details on the coin difficult to see or read. A magnifying glass may be required to identify the coin or its mint year and location. Even though coins in good condition do not look pristine, they may still have a great deal of value if they are scarce or hard to obtain.

Pricing the 1877 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin

When it comes to determining a price for the Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin, there are a few factors you must take into consideration. For one, there were multiple types of these coins minted every year so the exact type of coin you own will play into the asking price. Secondly, the condition of the coin plays into the asking price in that better-preserved coins will carry a higher price tag than coins in poor condition. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea of what you can expect to pay for an 1877 Liberty Head $20 Gold Coin given its condition and type.