The most apparent distinguishing factor of the Type 1 Variety of the Liberty Head Double Eagle is that it does not display the motto of “In God We Trust” on the reverse above the eagle. Underneath the eagle, the denomination is displayed as “Twenty D.” Aside from the motto, the Type 1 displays a shield composed of straight lines instead of curved lines. This variety was produced from 1850 to 1866.

Type 1 Gold Liberty Reverse

• Does have the motto of "In God We Trust".
• The denomination is displayed as "Twenty D."
• The shield has straight lines instead of curved lines.

Starting in 1866 the Type 2 Variety was minted until the end of 1876. This design displays the motto “In God We Trust” above the head of the eagle on the reverse as well as a more stylized, curved shield. Coins of the Type 1 and Type 2 variety are known for being excessively difficult to come across in Uncirculated grades.

Type 2 Gold Liberty Reverse

• Displays the motto "In Gold We Trust".
• Has a more stylized, curved shield.

In 1877, the Type 3 Variety was created and used until the coin’s mintage was terminated in 1907. This variety spelled out the denomination of the coin in full along the bottom rim of the reverse. This is opposed to the Type 1 and Type 2 varieties which were only inscribed with “Twenty D.” instead of “Twenty Dollars.”

Type 3 Gold Liberty Reverse

• The denomination is displayed as "Twenty Dollars".

After the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed Executive Order 6102. This executive order was signed on April 5, 1933. Executive Order 6102 sought to revive the American economy by recalling gold from the public. As a result of Executive Order 6102, the surviving populations of many Liberty Head Gold Double Eagles have been greatly reduced, making these coins simply difficult to come across. In total, 39% of all Gold Double Eagles ever struck were melted down due to Executive Order 6102. Fortunately for numismatists, the United States government and many institutions across the country shipped Gold Double Eagles to Europe, where they miraculously escaped the gold melts. For decades these rare gold coins sat untouched in bank vaults in what is now known as the Great European Bank Hoard. As a result, of the Great European Bank Hoard, a limited number of rare Gold Double Eagle examples were preserved and are available today.