Early $10 (1795-1804)

Eagles or $10 pieces represented the largest United States coin denomination when the first pieces were produced in 1795, a status which the $10 piece enjoyed until the advent of the $20 double eagle in 1850. Early $10 pieces were minted from 1795 through 1804 inclusive, after which coinage was suspended until 1838. Eagles of the early type are divided into two designs, the Capped Bust to Right with Small Eagle reverse minted 1795-1797, and the same obverse design, but with Heraldic Eagle reverse, struck from 1797 through 1804. There are no impossible rarities among these early pieces, although several varieties are very elusive. These were workhorse coins. Thus, most of them seen today show evidence of circulation. The same is true of virtually all gold coins of that era.

Budget Recommendations: No recommendations here, as low-grade gold coins are apt to be quite unattractive, and all early $10 issues are rarities. Consider what I have to say under the following listing.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Acquire one each of the two major design types, with the Small Eagle reverse and the Heraldic Eagle reverse. Buy EF-40 or better, with AU-55 representing an especially good value. MS-60 to MS-63 coins are excellent values, but be fussy about quality, for many coins seem to me to be overgraded.

Elite Recommendations: As preceding, but aspire to collect MS-60 or better, buying occasional MS-63 pieces as they become available.

Liberty Head $10 (1838-1907)

When $10 coinage recommenced in 1838 a new design, the Coronet or Liberty Head style, was employed. This motif continued through 1907, with a slight change in the portrait in 1839, and with the addition of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST in 1866. As is the case with contemporary half eagles, few people collect Liberty Head eagles by date and mintmark varieties, with the result that there are many rarities, particularly among Uncirculated coins, which have relatively low catalogue values. No one has ever assembled a set of Uncirculated Liberty Head $10 pieces, and no one ever will, for numerous early varieties are virtually impossible to find in this preservation. After the early 1880s, Uncirculated $10 pieces become more available, and issues of the early 20th century are plentiful, particularly 1901-S, the most often seen variety.

Budget Recommendations: No recommendations here, as low-grade gold coins are apt to be quite unattractive. Consider what I have to say under the following listing.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Most buyers will want one each of the basic types. I recommend MS-60 or better for the 1838-1866 type and MS-64 for the later type. Among later eagles, try to pick a rarer date, for it will cost little more than a common one. See my comments above and also my comments under Liberty Head $5 pieces (1839-1908) for more suggestions concerning early issues, a field laden with unrecognized rarities.

Elite Recommendations: Aspire to form a date and mintmark set, with the early issues AU-50 or better, the issues 1880-1900 MS-63, and later varieties MS-65.