The only genuine United States Mint issued 1849 $20 gold coin, also known as the Liberty Head Double Eagle, is a unique pattern piece housed in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution . It is not available for purchase or sale.
Therefore, if you encounter an 1849 $20 gold coin outside of the Smithsonian, it is not a genuine US Mint issue . It could be a replica, copy, or a privately minted piece.
However, some private mints and companies may create commemorative coins or replicas that bear the year 1849 and resemble the Double Eagle design. These would not be considered official US Mint coins and their value would be significantly different from the unique Smithsonian piece. For example, some products described as “1849 P Liberty Gold Piece $20” are listed on eBay for around $20. Other options include:
- 1849 $20 Liberty Tribute Proof : a privately minted, non-monetary tribute proof clad in 14mg of 24 KT Gold.
- [1849 Gold $5 Territorial Moffat & Co San Francisco 49er Gold Pcgs Xf] : a territorial gold coin from Moffat & Co. in San Francisco, sold on eBay for $9900.
If you are interested in valuing other gold coins from 1849 with different denominations, such as the $1 gold coin, several factors can influence their value, including:
- Condition: Coins in better condition (higher grades) generally command higher prices. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC can assess and certify a coin’s condition.
- Mintmark: The mint where the coin was produced can affect its rarity and value. US Mint branches in 1849 included Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Dahlonega.
- Design Type: Even within the same denomination, there may be variations in design that impact value.
Example values for 1849 $1 gold coins
- According to the NGC Price Guide, an 1849 Gold Dollar Coin in circulated condition is worth between $200 and $460 as of August 2025.
- In pristine, uncirculated condition, 1849 Gold Dollars can sell for as much as $28000.
- The Greysheet Catalog indicates that values for 1849 $1 gold coins can range from $320 to $1,800,000 depending on the specific variety and condition.
- The highest auction sale for an 1849 $1 Gold coin, specifically the 1849-C Open Wreath variety, reached $690,000 in July 2004.
Disclaimer: It is always advisable to consult with a professional numismatist or coin dealer to accurately assess the value of any specific coin. They can help you identify the coin, determine its condition, and provide an accurate valuation based on current market trends.
Is a $20 gold coin real?
The Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a twenty-dollar gold coin, or double eagle, produced by the United States Mint from 1907 to 1933. The coin is named after its designer, the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who designed the obverse and reverse. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of U.S. coins.
Why is the 1849 Double Eagle gold coin so rare?
Longacre, the artist selected to design the new large coin, encountered initial opposition from Mint officials, and it was late December before the first two pattern double eagles could be struck. One disappeared long ago, leaving this as the only surviving gold pattern from 1849.
How much is a dollar coin worth from 1849?
Great question! According to the NGC Price Guide, as of August 2025, a Gold Dollar Coin from 1849 in circulated condition is worth between $200 and $460. However, on the open market 1849 Gold Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $28000.