$10 Indian Head Gold Eagle (Circulated or Cleaned)

The $10 Indian Head Gold Eagle is an iconic piece of American numismatic history, minted from 1907 to 1933. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, this coin showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of early 20th-century American coinage. Issued by several U.S. mints, the $10 Indian Head Gold Eagle remains a favorite among collectors and investors.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): Features Lady Liberty adorned with a Native American headdress, surrounded by 13 stars representing the original colonies, with the date below.
• Reverse (back): An eagle standing on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, with inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,' 'E PLURIBUS UNUM,' and 'TEN DOLLARS.'
• Weight: 16.718 grams
• Gold Content: 0.4837 troy ounces of pure gold
• Fineness: 90% gold (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

The $10 Indian Head Gold Eagle was struck at several U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark is located on the reverse, to the left of the arrow bundle:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): Philadelphia issues are generally more common, especially for certain years.
• Denver ('D'): Denver-minted coins can be quite scarce, particularly in higher grades.
• San Francisco ('S'): San Francisco mintages are often highly sought after, especially from earlier years.

Common Dates vs. Rare Dates

Philadelphia issues from 1926, 1927, and 1932 had relatively large mintages, making these coins more common in the market today. These dates are often more accessible to collectors and investors due to their availability.

Rare Dates and Varieties

Coins from the Denver and San Francisco mints can be much rarer, especially in higher grades. For instance, the 1933 Indian Head $10 Gold Eagle is one of the most famous rarities in American numismatics, though most examples are not available to collectors due to government restrictions.

Key dates include the 1911-D, which has a low mintage and is highly sought after, and the 1920-S, which is rare in high grades.

Various Grades and Values

The value of $10 Indian Head Gold Eagles depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value based on grades for common-date coins (Philadelphia and large mintage years).

• Good (G): $900-1,100
• Fine (F): $1,000-1,200
• Extremely Fine (XF): $1,200-1,500
• About Uncirculated (AU): $1,500-2,000
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU/MS): $2,000-3,500

Rare mint marks and key dates can command prices well into the thousands or even tens of thousands for coins in higher grades.

The $10 Indian Head Gold Eagle is a significant piece of American coinage history. Coins from the Denver and San Francisco mints, as well as key dates, are highly prized by collectors and can command significant premiums. Common-date coins are more affordable and may be sold as bullion, making them a popular choice for gold investors. The coin's value increases significantly with higher grades and more desirable mint marks.

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