1920 Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle

After a hiatus from 1917 through 1919, production of Indian Head gold $10 eagles resumed in 1920. The San Francisco mint struck 126,500 pieces, which is one of the lower single-year mintages in the series, though not severely low. So, why do prices for the 1920 Indian Head eagle start at around $22,500 for a circulated specimen?

Most of these pieces were released into circulation, and most were eventually melted. In fact, only about 100 specimens have been certified, with about an equal number in circulated and uncirculated grades. One example in Mint State 67 traded hands at auction for the staggering sum of $1.7 million! It therefore goes without saying that you should be extremely cautious when buying any 1920 Indian Head eagle, for it may be counterfeit. Your best bet is to purchase a certified example that has been encapsulated by a reputable third-party coin-grading company, so that way you know that you’re buying a piece that is both authentic and properly graded.

Indian Head eagles were designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a famous sculptor who is perhaps most notable in the numismatic community for his double eagle design, which was minted from 1907 through 1933, when the nation was taken off the gold standard. Indian Head gold $10 eagles would not be struck again until 1926.