$10 Eagle, Indian Head Type

The $10 Indian Head Eagle is one of the most artistically bold and culturally significant gold coins ever issued by the United States Mint. First released in 1907, this coin was part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s visionary campaign to transform American coinage into true works of art. Designed by acclaimed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the Indian Head Eagle replaced the long-running Liberty Head design and introduced a striking, unconventional motif that blended classical and Native American imagery. Minted until 1933, the coin represents a dynamic period in U.S. history, bridging the Gilded Age and the Great Depression.

Key Features:

• Purity: Each $10 Indian Head Eagle is struck from 90% gold (21.6 karats) and 10% copper, providing durability and a warm golden tone. The coin contains 0.4838 troy ounces of pure gold, giving it substantial intrinsic value and heft.

• Design: The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a Native American war bonnet—a fusion of American symbolism and neoclassical design. The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed on the headdress band, and 13 stars representing the original colonies arc above. The reverse depicts a majestic standing eagle, perched on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. Early issues of the coin (1907–1908) were struck without the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” which was later added in response to public sentiment.

• Denomination: With a face value of $10, the Indian Head Eagle was used for substantial transactions and in banking and international trade. Though no longer used in commerce, its denomination remains a key part of its identity and historical function.

• Legal Tender: Issued by the United States Mint and authorized as legal tender, the $10 Indian Head Eagle circulated during a transformative period in American financial history. While gold coins were withdrawn from circulation in 1933, this coin retains its status as official U.S. currency and is widely recognized in the numismatic world.

• Collectability: The Indian Head Eagle is widely admired for its originality, artistic vision, and historical importance. Key issues include the rare 1907 wire rim and rolled edge varieties, as well as lower-mintage years from the 1920s and 1930s. Collectors are especially drawn to its unique blend of styles and its place in Roosevelt’s “renaissance” of American coin design. With fewer surviving examples than modern bullion coins, the Indian Head Eagle remains a highly desirable addition to any classic U.S. gold collection.

Rich in artistry and symbolism, the $10 Indian Head Eagle Gold Coin endures as a bold and beautiful tribute to American creativity, history, and numismatic excellence.