The Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht, marked the revival of the $10 gold coin in 1838 after a 34-year hiatus. Renowned for its elegant design and long production span, this coin is a cornerstone of American numismatics. With two primary design variations, the Liberty Head Eagle remained a staple of U.S. coinage until 1907.
Key Specifications
The Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht, marked the revival of the $10 gold coin in 1838 after a 34-year hiatus. Renowned for its elegant design and long production span, this coin is a cornerstone of American numismatics. With two primary design variations, the Liberty Head Eagle remained a staple of U.S. coinage until 1907.
Key Specifications
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Designer: Christian Gobrecht
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Issue Dates: 1838–1907
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Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
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Diameter: 27 mm
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Weight: 16.72 grams (258.02 grains)
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Edge: Reeded
Historical Context
The Liberty Head $10 Eagle debuted in 1838 with Gobrecht's clean and balanced design. Originally created to replenish the nation's gold coin supply, the coin's obverse features Liberty adorned with a coronet inscribed "LIBERTY," while the reverse showcases an eagle with a shield, perched on an olive branch with arrows.
This design underwent only one major modification: the addition of the motto "In God We Trust" on a ribbon above the eagle in 1866, following the Civil War. Despite this change, the coin's weight, composition, and overall appearance remained consistent throughout its 69-year production.
Design Variations: Two Iconic Types
Type 1: No Motto (1838–1866)
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Obverse: Liberty with hair in a bun secured by beads, surrounded by stars, with the date below.
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Reverse: An eagle with a shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TEN D."
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Unique Features: Early 1838 and some 1839 issues feature Liberty’s head tilted slightly forward, differing subtly from later designs.
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Mintage: 5,292,499 business strikes; 400 estimated proofs.
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Availability: Common dates are accessible in Very Fine to Extremely Fine grades. AU examples are scarcer, while Uncirculated and superb Uncirculated coins are rare. Proofs are exceedingly scarce.
Type 2: With Motto (1866–1907)
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Obverse: Identical to Type 1, with Liberty surrounded by stars.
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Reverse: Features the addition of "In God We Trust" on a ribbon above the eagle, maintaining the same general design.
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Mintage: 37,391,767 business strikes; 2,327 proofs.
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Availability: Later dates are more plentiful in higher grades. Uncirculated examples are accessible, while superb Uncirculated and proofs remain rare.
Challenges in Collecting Liberty Head $10 Eagles
While many dates and mintmarks are obtainable, assembling a complete set is a monumental challenge due to several rare issues:
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Key Dates: The 1864-S, 1870-CC, 1875, and 1883-O are among the most challenging.
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Prohibitively Rare: Some dates, like the 1854-S, are nearly impossible to acquire.
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Condition Rarity: Many earlier coins, especially from branch mints, are difficult to find in Uncirculated grades.
Why Collect Liberty Head $10 Eagles?
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Historical Significance: Spanning pre-Civil War to the dawn of the 20th century, these coins offer a window into American history.
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Design Longevity: The Liberty Head Eagle's nearly seven-decade run is a testament to its timeless design.
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Investment Value: With high demand and limited supply, these coins are both historically important and financially rewarding for collectors and investors.
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Rarity: Rare dates and conditions make this series a thrilling pursuit for dedicated numismatists.
Secure Your Piece of History
At ParadimeCoins.com, we specialize in premium Liberty Head $10 Eagles for discerning collectors. Whether you're building a type set or seeking rare key dates, our expertly curated inventory offers something for every collector. Explore our collection today to own a piece of American numismatic history.
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