1879-CC Double Eagle (1879-CC $20) NGC XF Details. Although lightly cleaned, this double eagle is usually found in low grades. It is starting to develop darker toning in the lower right obverse and reverse fields. The obverse shows some contact marks on Libertys cheek, chin and neck as well as the left field. The reverse shows a few scattered contact marks and small scratches on the shield and to the right of the eagles wing. Very slight wear shows on either side. No doubt the coin would have been given a grade several points higher had it not been cleaned. The strike is full except for the very center of both sides of the coin.

In 1866 the motto In God We Trust was added to the top of the reverse of the double eagle at the behest of Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of Treasury and Congress because of pressure brought about by the Reverend M.R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania. This addition did not cause crowding of the design because it was only necessary to enlarge the circle of stars to accommodate the motto within it.

The design type of the 1879-CC $20 is known as the Longacre-Barber type. When Longacre died on New Years Day in 1869, William Barber became the Chief Engraver. The type remained in use for seventy years. Charles Barber, Williams son, was his successor. Most of the issues were very large, and the coins became known as generic Liberty head twenties. Throughout the years since their production, but especially in the 1950s and 60s, these coins were held by investors as a hedge against inflation. Most Carson City dates in the series had large mintages; however, because of extensive melting, the present coin is rare and usually found only in low grades.