1795-1797 Small Eagle Reverse

COIN NAME: EAGLE 1795-1797 Small Eagle Reverse
DESIGNED BY: Robert Scot
ISSUE DATE: 1795-1797
COMPOSITION: 0.9167 part gold, 0.0833 part copper
DIAMETER: 33 mm
WEIGHT: 270 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 13,344
PROOF MINT: None

As was the case with many early gold coins, few numbers of this coin were produced as compared to later issues. Again, no proof coins were produced as there seemed to be little demand for such high priced collectibles that would carry substantial premiums to the face value. Eagles or $10 pieces made their first appearance in circulation toward the end of 1795.

The design of the first issue is similar to that of the contemporary half eagle. On the obverse Miss Liberty is shown wearing a cloth cap, facing right, with stars to the left and right. The reverse, copied from the design of an ancient cameo, depicts an eagle perched on a palm branch holding a wreath aloft in its beak. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. There is no indication of denomination or value on this or the subsequent eagle type.

With a total mintage of fewer than 15,000 pieces, eagles of this design type are rare today. However, with some searching, attractive Very Fine to AU coins can be located.

1797-1804 Heraldic Eagle Reverse

COIN NAME EAGLE 1797-1804 Heraldic Eagle Reverse
DESIGNED BY Robert Scot
ISSUE DATE 1797-1804
COMPOSITION 0.9167 part gold, 0.0833 part copper
DIAMETER 33 mm
WEIGHT 270 grains
EDGE Reeded
BUS MINT 119,248
PROOF MINT None

By 1797, the Eagle had taken its place as a vital element of commerce. During this era, production was increased dramatically, to keep up with demand for more and more circulating money. The reverse depicts an eagle with a shield on its breast, holding in its talons a bundle of arrows and an olive branch and in its beak a ribbon inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM. A galaxy of stars and an arc of clouds is above. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. There is no mark of denomination or value as their weight and metal content valued coins of the period.

The obverse remains the same as the proceeding, except that the star configuration varies on certain issues. For example, the 1798/7, an overdate, exists with nine stars left and four right and also with seven stars left and six right. No eagles were struck after 1804, as it was felt that because of rising bullion prices the pieces would be melted or exported as soon as they were produced.

1907-1908 Indian, No Motto

COIN NAME: EAGLE 1907-1908 Indian, No Motto
DESIGNED BY: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
ISSUE DATE: 1907-1908
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part gold, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 27 mm
WEIGHT: 258 grains
EDGE: 46 raised stars
BUS MINT: 483,448
PROOF MINT: None of regular issue

Before this coin was produced for business circulation, two varieties were experimented with. Apparently the designer and mint officials were ultimately less than impressed as the design lasted only during 1907 and 1908.

The obverse depicts Miss Liberty wearing an Indian headdress inscribed LIBERTY on a band, 13 stars are in an arc above, and the date is below. The reverse depicts a perched eagle with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM to the right, and the denomination expressed as TEN DOLLARS below. As President Roosevelt personally objected to the use of the name of the Deity on coins, the Indian issues of 1907 and certain issues of 1908 lack IN GOD WE TRUST. Coinage of the type occurred at Philadelphia in 1907 and 1908 with some coins struck in Denver dated 1908.

1908-1933 Indian, With Motto

Extremely Fine Condition
Origin: United States
Date Issued: 1907-1932
Metal: Gold
Denomination: $10
Grade: Extremely Fine
Purity: .900
Weight: 16.718 Grams

Few people realize that President Roosevelt objected strongly to having God's name on any coin. Perhaps this explains why the previous Indian Eagle was produced in such small number and only existed for two production years. The new "with motto" design was obviously widely accepted as it endured for 26 years. Also note proof coins of this type were produced while none were produced of the "no motto" design.

Besides the addition of the motto, the Indian head obverse and perched eagle reverse remained the same. A slight change took effect in 1912 as the number of raised stars was increased from 46 to 48. This reflected an increased number of states in the Union. Mintage was intense and continuous from 1908 through 1916, after which no examples were made until 1920-S, followed by a gap until the 1926 Philadelphia issue, with the next following being 1930-S, then 1932 and 1933.

The numismatist seeking an example of the 1908-1933 type will have no difficulty locating one of the more plentiful dates in Extremely Fine to AU grade. Uncirculated pieces are fairly scarce, with the exception of 1926 and in particular 1932. Superb Uncirculated pieces dated 1926 and 1932 are rare, and superb Uncirculated pieces of other dates are very rare.

1866-1907 Coronet, with Motto

Coin Designer: Christian Gobrecht
Gross Weight: 16.718g
Gold Content: 0.48375 oz.
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Coin Diameter: 27 mm
Coin Edge: Reeded
Dates: 1838-1907

At this period in time, it becomes apparent that commerce began to require a larger number of coins of larger denomination. Obviously the $10 gold coin was much less cumbersome to carry than 10 silver dollars. The massive number of these coins produced also suggests, propserity was spreading throughout our young but productive country. In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse of the eagle and appears on a ribbon or scroll from that time through 1907. Otherwise the obverse of Miss Liberty remained the same as the previous design. Production was continuous at the Philadelphia Mint during this span and nearly continuous at San Francisco. Beginning in 1870, examples were struck at the Carson City Mint. New Orleans coins were produced from 1879 through 1883 and again in several later years. Coins were struck at Denver in 1906 and 1907. In grades from Very Fine to AU the type set collector will have a wide choice of specimens. Examples are not rare. Uncirculated pieces are readily encountered of dates toward the end of the type.)

1838-1866 Coronet

COIN NAME EAGLE 1838-1866 Coronet
DESIGNED BY Christian Gobrect
ISSUE DATE: 1838-1866
COMPOSITION: 0.900 part gold, 0.100 part copper
DIAMETER: 27mm
WEIGHT: 258 grains
EDGE: Reeded
BUS MINT: 5,292,499
PROOF MINT: 400 (estimated)

Two styles of this coin were created. The Liberty head used in 1838 and early 1839 is styled differently from coins produced later in 1839 and through the end of the series. The difference is subtle with the most prominent being in the shape of the neck of Miss Liberty. The Coronet style, also called the Liberty Head or Braided Hair motif, was used on the eagle beginning in 1838, two years earlier than on the quarter eagle and one year before the style was used on the half eagle.

The obverse depicts a female head facing left, her hair in a bun secured by a string of beads, wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY. Stars surround, and the date is below. The reverse shows an eagle with a shield on its breast, perched on an olive branch, holding three arrows. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TEN D. surrounds. Mintages were continuous at the Philadelphia Mint. In addition, pieces were produced at New Orleans and San Francisco.

For type set purposes the numismatist can readily obtain an example of one of the more plentiful dates in grades of Very Fine or Extremely Fine. AU pieces are scarcer, and Uncirculated pieces are quite scarce. Superb Uncirculated coins are seldom seen or encountered and are apt to come on the market only when great collections are marketed. Proofs were minted at Philadelphia and in all instances are rare.