After long experimentation with several designs, James B. Longacre's $20 gold piece was adopted and produced in 1849.  Only one example was struck in 1849 and is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.  In 1850, the Double Eagle was produced for circulation.  The obverse featured Liberty with a coronet while the reverse displayed an eagle with various embellishments and was modified several times.

 

In 1866 along with the other coinage of the day, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the Double Eagle.  In 1877 another modification was made resulting in the Type III twenty.  This was the abbreviation of the denomination, expressed as TWENTY DOLLARS.

 

Many rarities exist among the Liberty Double Eagles, the business strike issues of 1854-O and 1856-O as well as all proofs.  The proof issues of 1883, 1884, and 1887 are all desirable as there were no coins minted for circulation.  Liberty Double Eagle production ceased in 1907 to give way to the famed $20 Saint Gaudens.