Object Details
mint
U.S. Mint, Philadelphia
designer
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus
Description (Brief)
One (1) 20 dollar coin
United States, 1910
Obverse Image: Full-length Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and olive branch in left. Capitol Dome in lower left; rays of sun in background; stars around rim.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1910
Reverse Image: Eagle flying through rays of sun.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / TWENTY DOLLARS / IN GOD WE TRUST
Edge: E PLURIBUS UNUM divided by stars.
Description
The United States Mint experimented with a number of innovative surface treatments for its proof coinage between 1905 and 1915. These included matte and sandblast surfaces that reflected light back in unusual ways. They also included the application of a "Roman" finish, making the surfaces of gold coins look more golden, and more mellow. These experimental surfaces were applied to test new ideas regarding what would work and what would not. The surfaces were also placed there so that the coins that bore them became "special," and could be sold to collectors at a premium.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Mint
date made
1910
ID Number
1985.0441.1320
catalog number
1985.0441.1320
accession number
1985.0441
Object Name
coin
Physical Description
gold (overall metal)
0 (overall die axis)
0 (overall die axis measurement)
struck (overall production method)
Measurements
overall: dia. 34.3 mm; wt. 33.418 g
place of issue
United States
Related Publication
Glossary of Coins and Currency Terms
Related Web Publication
http://americanhistory.si.edu/coins/glossary.cfm
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
United States Double Eagle
Coins, Currency and Medals
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1088651