1908-S $10 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Head $10 1907-1933

PCGS MS68+

View More Images

PCGS MS68

PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 8861

Designer:: Augustus Saint Gaudens

Edge:: Raised Stars

Diameter:: 26.80 millimeters

Weight:: 16.70 grams

Mintage:: 59,850

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $182,125 • MS69 • 07-27-2013 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (1)

Major Varieties

1908-S $10

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	1,750	R-4.7	6 / 27 TIE	8 / 32 TIE
60 or Better	450	R-6.1	8 / 27 TIE	10 / 32 TIE
65 or Better	70	R-8.3	15 / 27 TIE	17 / 32 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,750
60 or Better	450
65 or Better	70

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.7
60 or Better	R-6.1
65 or Better	R-8.3

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	6 / 27 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 27 TIE
65 or Better	15 / 27 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	8 / 32 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 32 TIE
65 or Better	17 / 32 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68+ PCGS grade	Paul Taylor Collection - Heritage 1/2005:30647, $149,500 - Simpson Collection
2	MS68 PCGS grade	Stack's "ANA Sale 1976 (per Akers write-up in the Thaine Price auction) - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 4/2006:3885, $115,000 - Jim O'Neal - Heritage 1/2009:3507, $80,500 - Heritage 7/2009:1309, $94,875
2	MS68 PCGS grade
4	MS68 estimated grade	Bentley Shores Collection - Stack’s/Bowers 8/2013:4537, $182,125
5	MS67 PCGS grade	Kutasi Collection - Heritage 1/2007:3166, $46,000
5	MS67 PCGS grade	Louis Eliasberg, Sr. (per Akers) - Dr. Thaine Price - David Akers 5/1998:47, $82,500
5	MS67 PCGS grade
5	MS67 PCGS grade
5	MS67 PCGS grade
5	MS67 PCGS grade

#1 MS68+ PCGS grade

Paul Taylor Collection - Heritage 1/2005:30647, $149,500 - Simpson Collection

#2 MS68 PCGS grade

Stack's "ANA Sale 1976 (per Akers write-up in the Thaine Price auction) - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 4/2006:3885, $115,000 - Jim O'Neal - Heritage 1/2009:3507, $80,500 - Heritage 7/2009:1309, $94,875

#2 MS68 PCGS grade

#4 MS68 estimated grade

Bentley Shores Collection - Stack’s/Bowers 8/2013:4537, $182,125

#5 MS67 PCGS grade

Kutasi Collection - Heritage 1/2007:3166, $46,000

#5 MS67 PCGS grade

Louis Eliasberg, Sr. (per Akers) - Dr. Thaine Price - David Akers 5/1998:47, $82,500

#5 MS67 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1908-S is very rare in all Mint State grades but, unlike many issues of this type, the rarity does not materially increase until one reaches the MS-65 level, where the population drops off by more than half when compared to any single lower grade. However, there are a relatively high number of gems of this issue in existence ("high" as used in the context of Indian Head eagles, that is) and there are also a small number of superb quality, near perfect specimens known. Kruthoffer's brought $30,000 in 1981 and was essentially perfect, and a few others approach this level of perfection, including one in a prominent old-time Midwestern collection. I own two MS-67+ pieces, and the 1976 ANA specimen now owned by Dr. Steven Dukor, as well as the Eliasberg coin now in Dr. Thaine Price's collection, are also both distinctly better than MS-65.

The 1908-S is always very sharply struck. Like the half eagle and double eagle of the same date and mint, the 1908-S eagle comes with two very different, distinct finishes. One is frosty and very finely granular, and on these specimens the lustre is very good but not outstanding. The other finish (much more rare) is extremely satiny, and with these examples the lustre is always exceptionally radiant. Color varies on this issue from light orange and greenish gold to coppery gold. In top grade, there is no better looking coin in the series than the 1908-S.