GOLD COIN FIELD GUIDE
Liberty Head $10
The Liberty eagle is the historical $10 coin, not a modern one-ounce Gold Eagle. Scarce branch-mint dates should not be treated as generic gold.
The metal baseline
- Profile covers
- 1838–1907
- Composition
- 90% gold
- Standard gross weight
- 16.718 g
- Fine gold per coin
- 0.48375 troy oz
- Face value
- $10.00
Historical eagle and bullion Eagle are different coins
Include ‘Liberty Head’ and ‘$10’ in your research. A search for ‘gold eagle’ alone can mix this historical series with modern bullion coins.
This coin contains a little under half a fine troy ounce of gold, not the full ounce in a modern $50 Gold Eagle. Use the specific weight below instead of interpreting the shared name as a weight.
Where to look. Confirm TEN D. and the 1838–1907 Liberty Head type. Inspect the reverse mintmark before using a common-date comparison.
Dates and details worth a second look
This is a selected watch list, not every key date or variety in the series. Finding a matching date is a reason to inspect further—not proof of authenticity, grade, or a particular value.
What do these collector labels mean?
Key date. An important scarce issue in this series; grade and authenticity still matter.
- Key date
1870-CC
A major Carson City rarity. Authentication is essential.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Key date
1883-O
A major New Orleans rarity, not a routine bullion-value eagle.
Check the attribution reference ↗
Two questions, not one price
What is the contained metal worth? This profile uses 0.48375 fine troy ounces of gold per coin. Multiply that by the number of matching coins and a current per-troy-ounce gold quote. The calculator shows the quote and its freshness when available.
What might a collector pay for this coin? That takes the exact issue, condition, surfaces, finish, and any authenticated variety. The checkpoints above explain why a collector sale may differ from the metal estimate. A calculated melt value is neither a guaranteed buying offer nor a complete appraisal.
The listed weights are standard reference specifications, with rounded published fine-metal values. They do not measure wear, damage, missing metal, or authenticity in your individual coin. Gross grams include the alloy; fine troy ounces describe the precious metal itself.
Use this profile in the calculator →Build a useful comparison
- Record the full date, mintmark, denomination, and finish. Photograph both sides and any diagnostic detail.
- Use the specific references above to check a suspected variety. Do not clean the coin to make a feature easier to see.
- Compare completed sales for the same issue and similar condition. Separate proof, special-strike, and attributed examples from ordinary coins.
- Record shipping and other costs separately. An asking price or one exceptional auction result is not a typical sold price.
References and further checking
Use these references to inspect the issue and attribution in more detail. Prices, populations, and market premiums can change.
Educational reference only; not individualized appraisal or investment advice. For a potentially valuable or questionable example, use a qualified numismatist or established authentication service.