Numismatic

1878 $10 Liberty Gold Eagle AU

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This ten dollar gold piece from 1878 offers a fascinating window into late nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this coin does not bear a mint mark, which was the standard practice for the facility at the time. With a total mintage of just 73,780 pieces, this issue is particularly intriguing because a vast number of these gold eagles were melted down in subsequent decades, making surviving examples in About Uncirculated condition wonderful historical survivors. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair bound by a band clearly inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait, representing the original colonies. On the reverse, a majestic heraldic eagle guards a shield on its breast. The bird is surrounded by the legend indicating the nation of origin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, along with the face value, TEN D. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is also integrated into the reverse design, completing a classic composition by designer Christian Gobrecht. Struck from 0.900 fine gold, this coin contains 0.4838 troy ounces of precious metal. Its survival through eras of economic change and widespread melting programs makes it a captivating object of study for anyone interested in the artistry and history of United States gold coinage.