Numismatic

1874 $10 Liberty Gold Eagle AU

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In 1874, the Philadelphia Mint produced a limited run of just 53,140 gold ten-dollar pieces. Over the decades, vast numbers of these eagles were melted down, leaving only a fraction of the original mintage for modern enthusiasts to study. This particular specimen survives in About Uncirculated condition, offering a remarkably clear window into late nineteenth-century American coinage. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair secured by a band inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait, representing the original colonies. On the reverse, a heraldic eagle stands with a shield across its chest, clutching an olive branch and arrows. The eagle is surrounded by the legend naming the United States of America and the ten-dollar denomination. Crafted from 0.900 fine gold, this coin contains 0.4838 troy ounces of precious metal. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the Liberty Eagle remains a classic representation of American numismatic history, made even more compelling by its high rate of destruction in later melting pots.