Whitman Brands™ has released the long-awaited second edition of Double Eagle Gold Coins by Q. David Bowers. The new volume updates one of the classic references on America’s legendary $20 gold pieces.
More than 20 years have passed since the first edition helped establish Whitman’s Red Book Series. Now, the second edition returns with full-color images, expanded research, modern market pricing, and broader coverage for today’s collectors.
Whitman Brands, a full-service provider of data, media, and product distribution for the numismatic and collectibles marketplace, announced the official release of the book. The new edition covers some of the most famous and infamous coins of the last two centuries.
A Full-Color Guide to America’s $20 Gold Coins
Part of Whitman’s acclaimed Red Book Series, Double Eagle Gold Coins explores the history, artistry, and collecting appeal of America’s $20 gold coins.
The book begins with the Liberty Head double eagle, introduced in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. It continues through the celebrated Saint-Gaudens double eagle, which the United States struck until 1933.
This new edition now appears in full color. It also features more than 550 high-resolution photographs. As a result, collectors get a richer view of one of the most important series in American numismatics.
The book also adds updated market values based on Greysheet-based pricing. In addition, it uses easy-to-follow GSID catalog numbers. A new foreword by gold-coin expert John “JD” Dannreuther adds further authority.
Collectors will find more than 275 listings, date-by-date analysis, mintage data, grading guidance, and collecting strategies. Therefore, the volume serves both beginning collectors and advanced specialists. It also stands as a definitive reference for Liberty Head and Saint-Gaudens double eagles.
Why Double Eagles Still Command Attention
Double eagles have long fascinated collectors. Their size, beauty, rarity, and history give them lasting power.
The United States struck these coins during eras of rapid expansion, financial upheaval, and artistic innovation. Because of that, double eagles reflect the nation’s changing identity. They connect the California Gold Rush to the artistic renaissance of the early 20th century.
The book examines major rarities and key dates. These include the 1850 Type 1 Liberty Head, which links directly to the surge of California gold. It also covers the elusive 1856-O, with a tiny mintage of just 2,250 coins.
Other highlights include the legendary 1870-CC, issued during the first year of the Carson City Mint. The book also examines the 1907 Liberty Head, which marked the final year of that classic design.
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles Take Center Stage
The new edition also gives deep attention to the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series.
Among its most celebrated coins is the breathtaking 1907 High Relief. Many collectors regard it as one of the most beautiful coins ever struck by the United States.
The book also explores later rarities such as the 1920-S, 1921, and 1927-D. These coins continue to draw strong interest because of their rarity, history, and mystique.
In recent years, higher gold prices have brought new attention to historic U.S. gold coins. However, double eagles offer more than bullion value. Their artistry, history, and scarcity often place them far above their melt value. As a result, collector demand remains strong.
“Few coins capture the blend of artistry, history, and enduring value like the double eagle,” said Patrick Ian Perez, Chief Publishing Officer at Whitman Brands. “With the gold market drawing renewed attention to historic coinage, collectors are rediscovering these remarkable pieces of American history. This new edition brings the scholarship, imagery, and modern market insight collectors need to fully appreciate and pursue the series.”
Theodore Roosevelt, Saint-Gaudens, and a New Vision for U.S. Coinage
The story of the Saint-Gaudens double eagle remains one of the defining chapters in American coinage.
President Theodore Roosevelt wanted U.S. coins to match the artistic greatness of ancient classical coinage. To achieve that goal, he worked with acclaimed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Together, they pushed the United States Mint toward a more ambitious national coinage.
Author Michael F. Moran explores this larger story in Whitman’s When Coins Were King. The book examines the cultural, political, and economic forces that shaped U.S. coinage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Moran’s work has reached readers beyond traditional numismatic circles. It also highlights the creation of the Saint-Gaudens double eagle as a major moment in American monetary and artistic history.
Rod Sullivan, a respected lawyer and active member of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, praised Moran’s book in a recent review.
“Where the book truly shines is in its portraits of the personalities behind America’s most famous coins. Moran’s sketches of Theodore Roosevelt—the reforming president who demanded beauty as well as utility in national coinage—and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens give flesh to what might otherwise be cold metal.”
Sullivan added:
“When Coins Were King is neither nostalgic lament nor crypto-skeptical jeremiad. It is something rarer: a calm, deeply informed tour through the long arc of American money, inviting readers to ponder what has been gained—and what may have been lost—as currency shifted from substance to symbol.”
JD Dannreuther Adds New Perspective
The second edition of Double Eagle Gold Coins includes a new foreword by John “JD” Dannreuther, one of the nation’s leading authorities on rare gold coins.
“Few coin series capture the imagination of collectors quite like the double eagle,” said Dannreuther.
“Their scale and story alone make them unique in American numismatics. Whitman has once again provided collectors with an indispensable reference for understanding and appreciating these remarkable coins.”
A Landmark Red Book Series Volume
Double Eagle Gold Coins represents the second volume in the original Bowers-authored entries of Whitman’s Red Book Series.
Today, the Red Book Series spans nearly 30 specialized volumes. These books explore the coin types and programs featured in A Guide Book of United States Coins, the iconic “Red Book.”
The series includes collector favorites such as Morgan Silver Dollars and Double Eagle Gold Coins. It also includes recent additions such as Private and Pioneer Gold Coins of the United States.
Whitman also plans future releases on classic series. These include Lincoln Cents, updates to the collector favorite U.S. Modern Proof Sets, and a new volume, Half Eagle Gold Coins, planned for mid-2026.
About Q. David Bowers
Q. David Bowers ranks as the most prolific and celebrated numismatic author in U.S. history.
Over his career, Bowers has written more than 60 reference works. His books include many volumes in Whitman’s Red Book, Guidebook, and Encyclopedia Series. His work covers nearly every area of American coinage.
Bowers also served as president of both the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild. He has received nearly every major honor in the hobby for his scholarship, integrity, and dedication.
His books, lectures, and mentorship continue to shape generations of collectors and researchers. As a result, he remains one of the most influential figures in numismatics worldwide.
About John “JD” Dannreuther
John West Dannreuther stands among the most respected experts in American numismatics.
He has worked as a professional coin dealer since 1973. He also helped found the Professional Coin Grading Service. Dannreuther served for a decade as a grader and continued as a consultant.
Collectors know Dannreuther for his research on rare U.S. coins. He has written several award-winning books, including Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties and The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection.
His honors include the ANA Numismatist of the Year Award and the PNG Lifetime Achievement Award.
About Michael F. Moran
Michael F. Moran is an award-winning numismatic researcher and author.
His work has earned honors from the American Numismatic Association, the Professional Numismatists Guild, and the Numismatic Literary Guild. These honors include Best Specialized Book for U.S. Coins for 1849: The Philadelphia Mint Strikes Gold.
Moran currently serves his fourth term on the U.S. Mint’s Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. He also played a leading role in securing Congressional authorization for the 2021 Morgan and Peace silver dollars.
In addition, Moran serves on the executive committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. He is treasurer and chairs multiple committees.
When I hit the lotto, I will get me some gold coins.