Sometimes, we tend to spend a little too much in summer, whether intentionally or not. As the season has unofficially come to an end on September 1, most of us are likely seeking high and low for some spare change. If that is the case, you’d better look in your wallet before it’s too late, as this $20 coin has a hidden worth of millions of dollars. That’s right, by confirming its authenticity by simply checking a few characteristics, you could make yourself that much richer! Find out which characteristics you should look for today.
The history of the coin that could make you rich
In 1927 in Denver, some of the rarest 20th-century gold coins of any denomination were minted. In that year, only 180,000 were minted. The 1927-D Double Eagle was part of the famed $20 gold Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle series, which maintained its popularity due to its beauty and historical significance, according to Coin ID Scanner.
Denver’s limited mintage of 1927-D Double Eagle coin ensured that its desirability and, inevitably, its value significantly increased among collectors. In 1933, the Treasury Department requested the return of the 1927-D Double Eagles, as per PCGS. Large quantities were destroyed after the government melted the gold coins, and only an estimated 14 to 15 remain.
This is how much money you could actually make
Should you be so fortunate as to come across one of these coins, you should know that not all of them will be of the same collector value. In January 2025, a 1927-D Double Eagle sold at auction for $3,840,000. While it’s not as high as the sale at the auction from August 2022, which sold a coin for $4,440,000, the amount is still impressive.
Some coins could make you a millionaire in the wink of an eye, and others, not so much. According to PCGS, the grade will determine how much money you could actually make. A grade is the score that confirms the coin’s state of preservation and wear, and highly influences collector value. The following 1927-D Double Eagle grades have the following estimated values:
- Grade 64+ – $2,750,000
- Grade 65 – $3,250,000
- Grade 65+ – $4,500,000 and up
- Grade 66 – $6,000,000 and up
- Grade 66+ – $6,500,000
- Grade 67 – $7,750,000
Confirm its authenticity with these characteristics
To confirm its authenticity, you should check for certain characteristics. The stars in the lower left are normally flat. The coins’ color and lustre are usually very good to excellent, and have a light medium orange and greenish gold color. According to PCGS, various sets of dies were utilized to strike the coins, and some had “faults” that could increase value.
According to CoinWeek, you should look for the following on the Obverse and Reverse:
Obverse
- Liberty in full length, facing forward with an olive branch in her left hand and a raised torch in her right hand
- Sunrays on the right extend upward from behind the Capitol and Liberty
- Her hair is swept to the left
Reverse
- The crest of the sun appears at the bottom
- A majestic left-facing eagle in the center, wings uplifted in flight
- An arc above the sun with the motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’
- Legend ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’
You see, someone’s trash could be your treasure. Remember that it should have all of the above characteristics to ensure that you receive the value that you deserve. If you are still uncertain about the worth, it is recommended to have the coin appraised by a professional to confirm its value. The 1927-D Double Eagle is not the only one that has the potential to make you rich. Have a look at this coin that could make you almost $5 million richer overnight!
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