Eagle Gold Coins: Coinage authority including specified weights
and fineness of the eagle gold coins conform to that of the
half eagle gold coins. The Small Eagle reverse was used until
1797, when the large Heraldic Eagle replaced it. The early
dates have variations in the number of stars, the rarest date
being 1798. Many of these early pieces show file scratches
from the Mint's practice of adjusting planchet weight before
coining. No eagle gold coins were struck dated 1805 to 1837.
Proofs of some dates prior to 1855 are known to exist, and
all are rare.
CAPPED BUST TO RIGHT EAGLE GOLD COINS
(1795-1804) Small Eagle (1795-1797)
Heraldic Eagle (1797-1804)
Designer Robert Scot; weight 17.50 grams; composition .9167
gold, .0833 silver and copper; approx. diameter 33 mm; reeded
edge.
LIBERTY HEAD, NO MOTTO ABOVE EAGLE GOLD
COINS (1838 -1866)
In 1838, the weight and diameter of the eagle gold coins
were reduced and the obverse and reverse were redesigned.
Liberty now faces left and the word LIBERTY is placed on
the coronet. A more natural-appearing eagle is used on the
reverse. The value, TEN D., is shown for the first time
on this denomination. Designer Christian Gobrecht; weight 16.718 grams:
composition .900 gold, .100 copper (net weight: .48375 oz.
pure gold): diameter 27 mm; reeded edge; mints: Philadelphia,
New Orleans. San Francisco.
INDIAN HEAD EAGLE GOLD COINS (1907-1933)
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, considered by many the greatest
of modern sculptors, introduced a new high standard of art
in United States coins evidenced by his eagle gold coins
and double eagle gold coins types of 1907. The obverse of
the eagle gold coins show the head of Liberty crowned with
an Indian war bonnet while an impressively majestic eagle
dominates the reverse side. A departure from older standards
is found on the edge of the piece, where 46 raised stars
(48 stars in 1912 and later) are arranged signifying the
states of the Union, instead of there being a lettered or
reeded edge.
The first of these gold coins struck had no motto IN GOD
WE TRUST as had the later issues, starting in 1908. President
Theodore Roosevelt personally objected to the use of the
Deity's name on gold coins. The motto was restored to the
coins by an act of Congress in 1908. Designer Augustus Saint-Gaudens: standards same as
for previous issue: edge: (1907-1911) 46 raised stars, (1912-1933)
48 raised stars: mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.
Variety 1 - No Motto on Reverse (1907-1908)
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65) gold coins are rare and worth substantial
premiums.
