$10 Pre-33 Gold Coins from JM Bullion

The $10 Gold Eagle Coin was introduced by the United States Mint in 1795 and went on to become the longest-running, uninterrupted coin issued in American history. The $10 Eagle went through a variety of design series in its long history, with the Liberty Head and Indian Head Eagles among the most sought-after by collectors. Like many other Pre-33 US Gold Coins, rarity in the $10 Eagle Series can be attributed to lower mintages, mint marks, subset design varieties, and even errors/flaws in production.

Common $10 Pre-33 Gold Coins

The two most common designs in the $10 Pre-33 Gold Series, due to age and mintage numbers, are the Liberty Head Series and the Indian Head Series. These two designs represent the coins in production in the series from 1838 until 1933. Let’s take a closer look at each:

• Liberty Head (1838-1907): The longest-running, uninterrupted singular design is the Liberty Head. Issued for 70 years, this iconic design from Christian Gobrecht (3rd Chief Engraver of the US Mint) depicted Liberty on the obverse and the heraldic eagle on the reverse. The coin went through two design subsets. The Type I was issued from 1838 to 1866 and did not include the national motto. The Type II was issued from 1866 to 1907 and included the national motto.
• Indian Head (1907-1933): The final design in the series, this coin offered a unique interpretation of Lady Liberty, combined with indigenous visual elements. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, it features Liberty on the obverse wearing a feathered headdress, and an eagle on the reverse.

What Contributes to Rarity?

There are a number of factors that contribute to the rarity of $10 Pre-33 Gold Coins, particularly in the above-mentioned design subsets. Low mintage dates are a common factor in the rarity of a coin, with select dates in both series featuring lower mintages than the average date across the entire series. Proof strikes became increasingly common from the mid-19th century onward, with low mintages and exceptional strike quality.

Condition is perhaps one of the most important factors. Finding a coin that is 50, 100, or even 150 years old that still showcases some of the finer details is a truly difficult task. Historic currency of any era that earns a Mint State grade is sure to catch the eye of a collector. The older the coin and the better its condition, the rarer that specimen becomes.

Survival rates are another major factor impacting rarity. The most common factor impacting survival is the everyday circulation and handling of the coins. The wear and tear of everyday use deteriorates the visual quality of any coin. Hoarding, such as during the US Civil War, can contribute to lower mintages and fewer surviving specimens.

Finally, factors such as minting errors, production flaws, and the location of minting can impact the rarity of a specimen. Carson City Mint coinage across a variety of gold and silver collections is a perfect example, as the mint only operated from 1870 to 1893 and often had far lower mintages.

Buy $10 Pre-33 Gold from JM Bullion

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