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LIBERTY HEAD GOLD EAGLE - MOTTO ON REVERSE - (1866-1907)

Liberty Head Eagle, Motto Added 1866-1907 - In 1804 President Thomas Jefferson stopped the mintage of eagles. Because its melt value exceeded its monetary value, there was excessive melting of theses coins. Over thirty years later, the standard weight and fineness for gold coins was changed.

Eagles went from 270 grains to 258 and fineness from 91.67% to 90% gold. In 1838 Mint Director Patterson told Engraver Gobrecht to prepare new dies for the eagle. The Type 2 Liberty Head Eagle, Motto Added was created when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to a banner designed by James B. Longacre above the eagle in 1866. The change was made in response to pressure organized by the Reverend M.R. Watkinson. The motto remained until 1907, when President Theodore Roosevelt told Augustus Saint-Gaudens to omit it on the newly designed eagle.

Mintages remained small from 1866 to 1878. Some of the most famous rarities of the Liberty Head Eagle, Motto Added series were made at Philadelphia in 1871-1873 and 1875-1877 and at Carson City in 1870 and 1873. The Philadelphia rarities are a result of the banks’ failure to resume specie payments in gold or silver or even in federal paper. The Carson City rarities were produced because of official orders that limited the mintages, which was then used as an excuse to close the branch Mint. Most of the business strikes of the Liberty Head Eagle, Motto Added of these years were melted. About 30 to 60 percent of the proof coinage of these years survived. Proof mintages for the Liberty Head Eagle, Motto Added series range from 1 to 120, which indicated that all proof coins are rare, and many are prohibitively rare in any condition.

Sets in uncirculated condition for this period cannot be assembled because for many of the dates there are no mint state survivors. Mintages increased after the Specie Resumption Act of 1878, and mintage increased. Today, when a collector is interested in Liberty Head eagles of common date eagles, it is understood to mean Philadelphia or San Francisco mint coins of 1880 to 1907.
Minute differences in the date or position of the mintmark account for varieties in the Liberty Head Eagle, Motto Added series. There are overdates in 1879, 1899, and 1906-D; and repunched mintmark is noted for 1889-S.

Specifications:
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 16.718 grams (258 grains) (.5375 troy ounces)
Diameter: 27 mm
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Gold Content: 15.0465 grams (232.2 grains) (0.48375 troy ounces)

DATE	NOTES
1866 Eagle	Low mintage coin; only 80 to 85 are known in all grades. In Mint State only 5 have been certified, the finest of which is an MS64 example. About 13 proofs known.
1866-S Eagle	Approximately 70 are known in all grades; usually seen in low circulated condition, rare above VF; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 4 in AU58.
1867 Eagle	Low mintage coin; only 85 to 90 are known in all grades; usually seen in XF to AU condition; only 3 have been certified Mint State, the highest of which is a single MS61 example. About 10 proofs known.
1867-S Eagle	Rare in all grades with only 60 to 65 known in all grades. None have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 3 in AU58.
1868 Eagle	Scarce in all grades; usually found in XF to AU. Only 2 have been certified Mint State, the finer of which is an MS62 example. About 11 proofs known.
1868-S Eagle	Scarce in all grads; usually found in VF or lower; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 10 in AU58, a group which no doubt includes multiple submissions.
1869 Eagle	Extremely low mintage; only 65 to 70 are known to exist; only 3 have been certified Mint State, the finest of which is a single MS63 example. About 13 proofs known.
1869-S Eagle	Extremely rare; only 65 to 70 are known to exist; usually seen in low circulated condition; only 3 have been certified Mint State, the finest of which are 2 MS61 examples.
1870 Eagle	Low mintage; usually seen in VF to XF condition; only 1 has been certified Mint State, an MS60 example. About 11 proofs known.
1870-S Eagle	Extremely rare, approximately 90 known in all grades; the finest certified is a single MS61 example.
1870-CC Eagle	The first eagle from Carson City; low mintage, usually been in low circulated condition; about 50 to 55 known; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 5 in AU55.
1871 Eagle	Extremely low mintage; extremely rare in all grades; only 65 to 70 are known, most are seen in XF condition; the finest certified is a single MS60 example. About 13 proofs known.
1871-S Eagle	Very rare, approximately 90 known in all grades; most seen in XF; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 7 in AU58.
1871-CC Eagle	Very rare, 90 to 110 are known in all grades; most are in low circulated condition; the finest circulated is a single MS62+ example.
1872 Eagle	Extremely low mintage; extremely rare in all grades; approximately 50 known; the finest certified are 2 in MS64. About 16 proofs known.
1872-S Eagle	Scarce in all grades; usually seen in low circulated condition; extremely rare in Mint State with only 2 certified, the finest of which is a single MS61.
1872-CC Eagle	Low mintage; rare in all grades; usually found in low circulated condition; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 3 in AU58.
1873 Eagle	Extremely rare, low mintage coin; only 35 have been certified in all grades by both services, the finest of which is a single MS60 example. About 14 proofs known.
1873-S Eagle	Very rare in all grades; approximately 90 are known; usually found in VF condition; the finest certified is a single MS61 example.
1873-CC Eagle	Low mintage; approximately 70 known; rare in all grades; usually found in circulated condition with heavy bag marks and soft obverse centers; none have been certified Mint State; the finest known are 3 in AU58.
1874 Eagle	Easy to find up to AU58; rare above MS62; the finest certified are 6 in MS65. About 8 proofs known.
1874-S Eagle	Usually found in VF to XF condition; none have been certified Mint State. The finest certified are 8 in AU58.
1874-CC Eagle	Usually found in low circulated condition; scarce AU to XF; often seen with coppery toning spots; only 2 certified in Mint State, the finer of which is an MS65.
1875 Eagle	Lowest mintage of any regular issue U.S. gold coin; only about 8 are known in all grades; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified is a single AU55 example. About 11 proofs known.
1875-CC Eagle	Low mintage; usually softly struck; usually found in low circulated condition; only 3 have been certified Mint State, the finest of which is a single MS63 example.
1876 Eagle	Extremely low mintage; approximately 45 are known in all grades; usually seen in XF to AU condition; only 1 has been certified Mint State, and it is an MSPL61 example. About 20 proofs known.
1876-S Eagle	Low mintage; approximately 90 are known in all grades; usually found in low circulated condition; none have been certified Mint State; the finest known is a single AU58 example.
1876-CC Eagle	Low mintage; often softly struck; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 6 in AU58.
1877 Eagle	Extremely low mintage; 55 to 60 are known in all grades; only 2 have been certified Mint State, the finer of which is an MS61 example. About 8 proofs known.
1877-S Eagle	Scarce in all grades; usually found in XF; only 2 have been certified Mint State, the finer of which is an MS61.
1877-CC Eagle	Very low mintage; rare in all grades with 65 to 70 known; usually found softly struck; none have been certified Mint State; the finest certified are 2 in AU58.
1878 Eagle	Scarce but available even in Mint State; rare above MS62; the finest certified is a single MS65 example. About 11 proofs known.
1878-S Eagle	Scarce date; only 6 have been certified Mint State, the finest of which are 2 in MS64.
1878-CC Eagle	Low mintage; only 65 to 70 are known; most seen with weak strikes and heavy bag marks; only 1 has been certified Mint State, an MS63 example.
1879 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; rare in Gem and above; the finest certified is a single MS67 example. About 11 proofs known.
1879-O Eagle	Very low mintage; only 85 to 90 are known; often seen with prooflike surfaces; only 1 has been certified Mint State, an MS61 example.
1879-S Eagle	Usually seen in AU to lower MS grades; rare above MS62; the finest certified is a single MS65 example.
1879-CC Eagle	Very low mintage date; lowest CC mintage of series; only 50 to 55 are known; usually poorly struck with heavy bag marks; only 1 has been certified Mint State, an MS62 example.
1880 Eagle	High mintage common date up to MS62; the finest certified is a single MS65 example. About 10 proofs known.
1880-O Eagle	Usually found XF to AU; usually well struck; rare in Mint State with only 14 certified, the finest of which is a single MS64 example.
1880-S Eagle	Common up to AU and low Mint State grades; usually yellow-gold color with frosty luster; rare above MS63; the finest certified is a single MS66 example.
1880-CC Eagle	Usually found XF to AU, often with heavy bag marks; only 16 have been certified Mint State, the finest of which are 2 in MS62 condition.
1881 Eagle	Highest mintage of the type; rare above MS63; the finest certified are 3 in MS65. About 11 proofs known.
1881-O Eagle	Usually found in XF to AU; rare in Mint State with only 17 certified. The finest certified is a single MS63 example.
1881-S Eagle	Common date; extremely rare above MS63. The finest certified is a single MS64 example.
1881-CC Eagle	Common in grades from XF to low Mint State; prohibitively rare above MS62; the finest certified is a single MS64 example, with none certified MS63.
1882 Eagle	Common date with thousands certified Mint State; sometimes seen in prooflike condition; rare above MS64 with only 3 certified Mint State, the finest of which is a single MS69 example. About 13 proofs known.
1882-O Eagle	Available in grades up to AU50; rare in Mint State with only 28 certified in Mint State; the finest certified are 2 in MS63.
1882-S Eagle	Usually available in Mint State grades up to MS62; rare above MS63; the finest certified is a single MS65 example.
1882-CC Eagle	Low mintage; usually found in low circulated grades; prohibitively rare in Mint State with only 3 examples certified, the finest of which is a single MS62 example.
1883 Eagle	Common date in grades up to MS63; the finest certified are 7 in MS64; sometimes found with prooflike finish, the finest certified is a single MSPL63 example. About 18 proofs known.
1883-O Eagle	Extremely low mintage, only approximately 45 are known; usually softly struck with heavy abrasion marks, sometimes with prooflike finish; the finest certified is a single MS61 example.
1883-S Eagle	Usually found in XF to low Mint State condition; the finest certified is a single MS66 example.
1883-CC Eagle	Usually found in XF condition; rare in AU and MS grades; often seen in prooflike condition; only 6 have been certified Mint State, the finest of which are 2 in MS61.
1884 Eagle	Common up to lower Mint State grades; rare above MS62; the finest certified is a single MS65 example. About 18 proofs known.
1884-S Eagle	Common up to lower Mint State grades; rare above MS62; the finest certified are 16 in MS63 with none higher.
1884-CC Eagle	Scarce in all grades; rare in Mint State; most show raised lines from Liberty’s ear down her neck; only 14 have been certified Mint State, the fines of which are 6 in MS61.
1885 Eagle	Common in lower MS grades; rare above MS63; the finest certified are 2 in MS66; also seen with prooflike finish. About 20 proofs known.
1885-S Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; the finest certified are 5 in MS64.
1886 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS62; the finest certified is a single MS67 example; also found with prooflike finish. About 18 proofs known.
1886-S Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; 33 have been certified MS64 with none finer; often seen with bag marks, abrasions, and frosty luster.
1887 Eagle	Usually available in grades up to MS62; the finest certified are 3 in MS64; usually lustrous; sometimes with prooflike surfaces. About 23 proofs known.
1887-S Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; the finest certified is a single MS65 example; usually satiny and well struck.
1888 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS62. Only 11 have been certified in MS63 with none higher. About 28 proofs known.
1888-O Eagle	Common in grades up to MS62. The finest certified is a single MS64. Sometimes seen with prooflike finish.
1888-S Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63. 19 have been certified MS64 with none higher. Usually well struck and lustrous.
1889 Eagle	Low mintage and rare. Usually seen in circulated grades. Finest certified is a single MS63 example. About 13 proofs known.
1889-S Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63. The finest certified is a single MS65 example.
1890 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS62. The finest certified is a single MS65 example. About 30 proofs known.
1890-CC Eagle	Common in grades up to MS62. The finest certified is a single MS64 example.
1891 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63. The finest certified are 2 in MS65. Sometimes seen with prooflike and DMPL surfaces. About 35 proofs known.
1891-CC Eagle	Most common eagle from Carson City. Rare in MS64 and above. The finest certified is a single MS65 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1892 Eagle	Common date with thousands certified in lower Mint State grades. The finest certified is a single MS66 example. About 35 proofs known.
1892-O Eagle	Common in lower Mint State grades. The finest certified are 6 in MS63. Often seen with flat strike.
1892-S Eagle	Scarce in lower Mint State grades; the finest certified are 3 in MS64.
1892-CC Eagle	Often seen in XF to AU grades; scarce in lower Mint State grades; the finest certified are 4 MS64 examples.
1893 Eagle	Common date; thousands certified in Mint State; scarce in Gem condition; the finest certified is a single MS66 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 30 proofs known.
1893-O Eagle	Available in grades up to MS62. 23 have been certified in MS63 with none finer. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1893-S Eagle	Available in grades up to MS62; scarce in MS63; the finest certified is a single MS67 example.
1893-CC Eagle	Last year of production for the Carson City mint; most are in circulated condition; only 21 have been certified Mint State, the fines of which are 6 in MS62 condition.
1894 Eagle	One of the most common dates in the series; thousands certified Mint State; only 18 certified MS65 with none higher. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 28 proofs known.
1894-O Eagle	Available in grades up to MS62; scarce in MS63; rare in MS64 and MS65; the finest certified is a single MS65 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1894-S Eagle	Scarce date; common in XF; rare in Mint State; the finest certified are 3 in MS62.
1895 Eagle	Common date up to MS64; rare in Gem and above; the finest certified is a single MS67 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 35 proofs known.
1895-O Eagle	Common up to MS62; rare in MS63; the finest certified is a single MS64 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1895-S Eagle	Scarce in AU grades; rare in Mint State; the finest certified are 2 in MS66.
1896 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; scarce in MS64; the finest certified is a single MS65 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 40 proofs known.
1896-S Eagle	Available in grades up to MS62; rare in higher Mint State grades; the finest certified is a single MS68 example.
1897 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; scarce in Gem grade; the finest certified is a single MS67 example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 40 proofs known.
1897-O Eagle	Scarce in grades up to MS62; the finest certified are 2 in MS67. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1897-S Eagle	Mostly seen in AU and low Uncirculated grades; the finest certified are 4 in MS66 condition.
1898 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; scarce in Gem condition; the finest certified are 2 in MS67. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 45 proofs known.
1898-S Eagle	Common in low Mint State grades; rare in Gem condition; the finest certified is a single MS66 example.
1899 Eagle	Very common in grades up to MS64; scarce in Gem condition; the finest certified is a single MS69, one of two Liberty Head eagles to earn this grade. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 50-55 proofs known.
1899-O Eagle	Available in grades up to MS61; scarce in MS62 and rare above; the finest certified is a single MS68 example.
1899-S Eagle	Available in grades up to MS63; rare in Gem condition; the finest certified is a single MS69, one of two Liberty Head eagles to earn this grade. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1900 Eagle	Common date; available up to MS64; rare in Gem condition; the finest certified are 5 in MS66. About 60 proofs known.
1900-S Eagle	Scarce date; rare above MS62; the finest certified are 2 MS68 examples.
1901 Eagle	Common date; available in grades up to MS65; the finest certified are 8 in MS67. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 60 proofs known.
1901-O Eagle	Common up to MS62; the finest certified are 3 in MS66. Semi-prooflike finish sometimes seen.
1901-S Eagle	Common date; easy to find in Gem condition; the finest certified are 26 in MS67. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1902 Eagle	Somewhat scarce date in low Mint State grades; only 6 certified in Gem condition; the finest certified is a single MS66 example. About 50-55 proofs known.
1902-S Eagle	Available in grades up to MS65; the finest certified is a single MS68+ example. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1903 Eagle	Available in grades up to MS64; the finest certified is a single MS66 example. About 60 proofs known.
1903-O Eagle	Available in grades up to MS63; the finest certified is a single MS66 example.
1903-S Eagle	Common in grades up to MS64; the finest certified are 10 in MS67.
1904 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS64; the finest certified are 2 in MS67. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 50-55 proofs known.
1904-O Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; the finest certified is a single MS68 example.
1905 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS64; the finest certified is a single MS67+ example. About 50-55 proofs known.
1905-S Eagle	Available in low Mint State grades; rare above MS62; the finest certified is a single MS65 example.
1906 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS63; rare in Gem and above; the finest certified are 2 in MS67. About 50 proofs known.
1906-D Eagle	First eagle production from the Denver Mint; available in grades up to MS64; rare in Gem and above; the finest certified is a single MS67 example.
1906-O Eagle	Last New Orleans eagle; available in grades up to MS62; rare in MS64 and above; the finest certified are 4 in MS66.
1906-S Eagle	Available in low Mint State grades; rare above MS62; the finest certified is a single MS67 example.
1907 Eagle	Common in grades up to MS64; rare in Gem and above; the finest certified are 5 in MS66. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces. About 60 proofs known.
1907-D Eagle	Available in grades up to MS64; the finest certified are 7 in MS65. Sometimes seen with prooflike surfaces.
1907-S Eagle	Scarce in most dates; available in grades up to MS62; the finest certified are 3 in MS66 condition.

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