1854 $20 (1854 Double Eagle) NGC XF45. Type 1 Double Eagle. This Small Date 1854 Double Eagle was well struck as evidenced by the centers of the stars on the obverse and the extensive design detail present on the reverse. The dentils are strong on both sides. Traces of mint luster can still be seen in some of the protected areas, and the surfaces are clean for the grade.

There are two varieties of the 1854 double eagle, the Small and Large Date. The numerals of the Small Date variety are only slightly smaller than those of the Large Date version.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin is a Type 1. In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added within the slightly enlarged oval of stars creating the Type 2. It is interesting to note that San Francisco made both Type 1 and 2s in 1866. In 1877 Type 3 was created by changing the denomination to TWENTY DOLLARS. The design remained in use until 1907 when it was replaced by the Saint-Gaudens double eagle.