United States Gold 10$ or Gold Eagle

(1795 - 1933)

Coinage authority including specified weights and fineness of the eagle conforms to that of the half eagle. The Small Eagle reverse was used untill 1797, when the large Heraldic Eagle replaced it.  Many of these dates have variations in the number of stars, the rarest being 1798.  Many of these early pieces who file scratches from the Mint's practice of adjusting weight.  No eagles were struck dated 1805 to 1837. Proofs of some dates prior to 1855 are known to exist, and all are rare.

Small Eagle (1795 - 1797).  This is the same "Small Eagle" image used on all U.S. denominations of coins within the same dates.

Heraldic Eagle (1797 - 1804) Every denomination first bareing the small eagle reverse later changed to the "Heraldic Eagle" reverse in or after 1797.

Turban Head (1795 - 1804)

Liberty Head No Motto (1838 - 1866)

Following the same path in history as other American coinage denominations with similar time period, any confusion to the value of the previous series were cleared up with the addition of "TEN D." to the reverse.  These Liberty Head pieces were first coined without the motto.

Liberty Head With Motto (1866 - 1907)

In 1866 the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" was added to a banner in the field above the eagles head on the reverse.

Indian Head (1907 - 1933)

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, considered by many the greatest of modern sculptors, introduced a new standard of art in United States coins evidenced by his eagle and double types of 1907.  The obverse of the eagle shows the head of Liberty crowned with an indian war bonnet while an impressively majestic eagle dominates the reverse side.  A departure from older standard of using a lettered or reeded edge, 46 raised stars (48 stars in 1912 and later) are arranged signifying the states of the Union. 

The first of these coins struck had no motto IN GOD WE TRUST as had the later issues, starting in 1908.  President Theodore Roosevelt personally objected to the use of the Deity's name on coins.  The motto was restored to the coins by an act of Congress in 1908.

Check out and look for my other Identification Guides, on other United States Mint denominations.  Half-Cent, Large Cent, Small Cent, 2,3&20 Cents, Half-Dimes, Nickels, Dimes, Quarters.....   Silver and Gold Coins....    I think you get the picture.  Have fun and enjoy the hobby of collecting coins.