The double eagle was designed by James Barton Longacre, the same artist who designed the Indian Head penny and the Shield nickel. The obverse of the coin features a depiction of Liberty, while the reverse features a heraldic eagle.
Double eagles were made of 90% gold and 10% copper. They had a diameter of 33 millimeters and weighed 33.4 grams.
The double eagle was a popular coin in its day. It was used for large transactions, such as the purchase of land and real estate. Double eagles were also used to pay for luxury goods, such as cars and jewelry.
The production of double eagles ceased in 1933, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that prohibited the private ownership of gold coins. This order was part of Roosevelt's New Deal program, which was designed to combat the Great Depression.
Today, double eagles are valuable collector's items. They are often sold for thousands of dollars, depending on their condition and rarity.