Golden Liberty

A messenger from times bygone
I held in my hands today.
No obvious damage has been done
to this ancient piece in any way.

Miss Liberty, all solemn and wise,
shining among the stars.
Dressed in gold, her features concise,
she has seen our many wars.

If she could tell, what she has seen,
would some people still be so proud
to use her name as a golden sheen
and boast with their deeds so loud?

(Ines Langs, November 11, 2007)

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A friend of mine brought me this coin today, because I should take some pictures of it. He wanted to sell it on Ebay.

It is an US American Double Eagle gold coin. Here is some general information on it:

Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1849. Weight, 516 grains; fineness, 900; size, 21.

1850 to 1865, inclusive. No. 1. Obverse: Liberty head, facing left, hair tied behind, a coronet on the forehead inscribed "LIBERTY," thirteen stars and date.

Reverse: An eagle with shield upon its breast, and an olive branch and three arrows in its talons; in its beak, an elaborate scroll, inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Above, a circle of thirteen stars and a curved line of rays extending from wing to wing. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." "TWENTY D."

1866 to 1876, inclusive. No. 2, same, with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" inscribed within the circle of stars on the reverse.

1877. No. 3. Same, with "TWENTY DOLLARS" for "TWENTY D."

(source: www.2020site.org/coins/doubleeagle.html)

The coin sold for 520 Euros (approx. US$ 730).