$10 Gold Eagle Indian Head - Almost Uncirculated AU (Random Year)
$10 Gold Eagle Indian Head - Almost Uncirculated AU (Random Year)
For the first time, Lady Liberty is presented in a headdress on this $10 Gold Eagle Indian Head coin. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, this coin was modified with the suggestions of President Theodore Roosevelt, gaining the important detail - Indian headdress. These unique coins with rare beauty were minted from 1908 to 1933, and many of them survived the Gold Reserve Act of 1934.
The Gold Eagle Indian Head Coin due to its historical significance, rarity, and beauty has become a very coveted coin that both collectors and investors are interested in.
Coin Features:
- Made from .900 pure gold with a weight of 0.4838 troy oz.
- Almost Uncirculated (AU) Condition.
- Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
- Minted from 1907-1933, dates and mint mark will be chosen randomly based on availability.
- U.S. Mint issue from the following mints: Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Denver.
- Individual coins will come in protective plastic flips. Multiples of 20 will come in protective plastic tubes.
- Obverse: A beautiful leftward facing portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a war bonnet with her curls flowing out of it. The motto “LIBERTY” inscribed on the band of the bonnet. Encircled by 13 stars on top and date below.
- Reverse: Features a majestic bald eagle perched on a bunch of arrows holding an olive branch in its talons. Inscriptions: "United States of America", "E Pluribus Unum," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "TEN DOLLARS."
American coins had not seen a change for almost 50-60 years and when President Theodore Roosevelt came to power, he wanted to work break the monotony and bring some freshness into the American Coins. He personally felt that the coins that have been in circulation for so long were hideous and that the new designs should depict American culture, freedom of thought, and free spirit. He commissioned one of the famous sculptors of the time and his dear friend, August Saint-Gaudens to create some fresh new designs which would make the American coins look beautiful and recognizable throughout the world.
Gaudens experimented with several versions of Lady Liberty designs for the obverse including bust portraits and full body versions and for the reverse he created several versions of the bald eagle that included eagle in standing position as well as an eagle in flight. He had the responsibility of designing for 5 denominations which are the $20 Double Eagle, $10 Eagle, $5 Half Eagle, $2.5 Quarter Eagle and the cent.
Gaudens had designed a bust portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a laurel wreath for the $20 Double Eagle. This was inspired by a model of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory that Gaudens had designed earlier to use in his Sherman’s Monument; however, it was not used. Now he wanted to use it on the obverse of $20 Double Eagle along with a standing eagle on the reverse which was inspired by the inaugural medal that he had designed for the President himself.
However, upon correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt, it was decided that this design will go on $10 instead of $20. The president also suggested Gaudens replace the laurel wreath of Lady Liberty with a feathered headdress or war bonnet as he felt it was very American and picturesque. This was a historically impossible design as the feathered headdress is worn only by the male Native American Warriors. Although some people felt it was inappropriate design, it was liked by a majority of people. The motto "LIBERTY" is inscribed on the headband of the bonnet. 13 stars and the date encircles the main device.
On the reverse, Saint-Gaudens designed a majestic bald eagle perched on a bunch of arrows holding an olive branch in its talons to symbolize America’s preparedness and desire for peace. The reverse also has the following inscriptions "United States of America", "E Pluribus Unum," “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “TEN DOLLARS.”
On the edge of the coins can also be seen raised stars. From 1908 to 1911, there were 46 stars to denote the 46 states of the Union. From 1912 on, 2 more stars were added to make it 48 stars in total. It was in honor of Arizona and New Mexico which were added to the United States.
These coins were minted from 1908 to 1933. Its production was stopped, when a new law was passed in 1933 by President Franklin Roosevelt according to which producing and possessing gold coins was illegal. Therefore the mint stopped producing gold coins. The coins were also confiscated from people. Whatever is remaining at the present time are those which escaped confiscation and also those which were sent to Europe before 1933.
Feel free to browse our vast collection of Pre-1933 US Gold Coins today to become a proud owner of an inseparable part of American coinage history. Feel free to contact us at 8008526884 if you have any questions in regards to Pre-1933 gold coins.
