A Complete Guide To The $20 Saint-Gaudens Gold Coins
Copyright (c) 2011 Rod Hoss
The $20 Saint-Gaudens or the Saint-Gaudens as they are more popularly known are considered to be the most beautiful among the rare gold coins of the United States. This coin was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a renowned American sculptor. Saint-Gaudens was chosen to design the coin by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt himself. At that time, Roosevelt was trying to improve the artistry and design of the coins in the United States. This is the reason why he requested the famous sculptor and also his friend to design the $20 Saint-Gaudens. Saint-Gaudens is famous for his other masterpieces such as the "Standing Lincoln" that is displayed at the Lincoln Park of Chicago. Another of his famous masterpiece is the General Sherman Civil War Monument that can be viewed on Central Park in New York.
The design of this famous coin shows the Lady Liberty with an olive branch and a staff on her hand that can be seen on the obverse side of the coin. The Lady Liberty appears to be walking away from the sun. To the right of the Liberty is the date and above her is the word "Liberty." Around the rim of the obverse side are stars that are used to represent the number of states. For the coins minted from 1907 to 1911, there are 46 stars on the rim. The $20 Saint-Gaudens minted from 1912 to 1933 has 48 stars around its rim. The beautiful design of Saint-Gaudens was used as an inspiration for the American Eagle coins minted years later. The modern coins still used the stars that represented the different states of America.
On the reverse side of the $20 Saint-Gaudens is the image of the bald eagle as it soars across the sun. On the top portion of the coin are the words, "Twenty Dollars" and "United States Of America." For the coins minted after 1908, the phrase "In God We Trust" is written under the bald eagle. President Roosevelt ordered that the motto should not be used on the coins because he considered it sacrilegious to put the name of God in the coins that were going to be used for brothels, gambling houses and other establishments of ill repute.
The first few coins that were minted were produced for trial purposes only and not for the purpose of circulation. At first there were only 16 to 22 pieces that were minted. The first coins were very thick and had a similar appearance to that of a medallion.
About the Author
Bryan Hoss is the owner of Authority SEO a Phoenix based Internet marketing company with over 10 years of search engine optimization experience. Find out more information about increasing revenue with your website at http://www.authorityseo.com/
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