Description
One of only two coins designed
by America's most acclaimed sculptor,
Augustus Saint-Gaudens (learn
more about the other here), this $10 gold piece is one of the most
exquisite coins our nation has ever struck.
Design
The $10 Indian Head's obverse
features the head of Liberty, donning an Indian war bonnet that reads
'LIBERTY'. Thirteen stars representing the nation's thirteen original
colonies arc above Liberty's head. The date appears at the bottom.
The reverse depicts a proud Bald Eagle puffing its chest as it
stands among olive branches. The Latin phrase 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' lies to
the viewer's right of the eagle. The words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'
and the denomination ('TEN DOLLARS') appear at the top and bottom of
the coin, respectively. The motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' was added to the
coin in the middle of 1908 by order of Congress.
Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this striking coin is that
the edge of the coin features raised stars signifying the states of the
Union, rather than a lettered or reeded edge. Coins struck from 1907 to
1911 feature 46 stars. Two more stars were added the following year to
commemorate the addition of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union.
Minting Information
The $10 Indian was
originally struck with a wire rim in 1907, which gave the coin a more
3-Dimensional appearance. Only 500 were produced before the Mint began
producing regular strikes later in the same year.
| Detailed Coin Information |
| Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
| Gross Weight: 16.718 grams |
Gold Content: 0.48375 oz. |
| Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Diameter: 27mm |
Edge: 1907-1911: 46 raised stars and 1912-1933: 48 raised stars |
| Dates: 1907-16; 1920; 1926; 1930; 1932-33 |
| Mints: Denver (1908-1911, 1914), Philadelphia (1907-15; 1926; 1932-33), San Francisco (1908-16; 1920; 1930) |
