An "Eagle" was a half ounce of gold and a $10 piece. A "Double Eagle" was an ounce of gold (weighed more than that because of the copper content to make the coin more durable for wear) and was $20.

Shortly after the gold was exchanged with the people for paper, the official price of gold was raised eventually to $35, officially devaluing the currency.

Jim Rickards claims that is all the government needs to do now, devalue against gold, and thinks they may some day in the not to distant future. This is one easy way for a nation to get rid of a lot of its debt. If it holds gold in its reserves that is. Hmmmm. And central banks are increasing their gold reserves......... maybe they know something we don't?