1855 Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle

1855 Liberty Head $10 gold coins are very scarce as relatively few pieces were originally made. These classic U.S. gold coins were designed by the third chief engraver of the United States Mint Christian Gobrecht. In addition to creating the design on 1855 Liberty Head eagles coins, Gobrecht also designed Seated Liberty coinage, which was made generally from the late 1830s through early 1890s and remains popular with numismatists nowadays.

1855 $10 coins contain 0.4806 ounces of gold. Though these coins are valued for their intrinsic gold content, they are also highly prized as numismatic collectibles and are worth much more than their gold value alone. Here’s a look at the 1855 Liberty Head gold eagle $10 coin mintage figures and values:

• 1855, 121,701 minted; $1,639

• 1855-O, 18,000; $1,967

• 1855-S, 9,000; $4,132

*Values are for coins grading Very Fine 20.

While the 1855 (Philadelphia) gold coin was made in much greater numbers than the New Orleans (O) mint, both issues are worth roughly the same in Very Fine 20. That’s because both coins exist in relatively similar numbers today, due to the fact that many of these coins have been melted and are now quite scarce across the board. This is a rather common situation with many pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, due to melting and loss through heavy circulation. Because of the overall scarceness of many pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, including 1855 $10 eagles, it’s recommended that they are purchased as certified pieces from reputable third-party coin grading firms.