1891 Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle

1891 Liberty Head $10 gold eagles were produced in substantial numbers but have become much scarcer in the years since. These classic old U.S. gold coins were designed by Christian Gobrecht, who served as the third chief engraver of the United States Mint and oversaw the striking of several new coin designs during his time as chief engraver. Most popular among these Gobrecht coin designs is the Seated Liberty coinage, which was made during a time span ranging from the late 1830s to the early 1890s.

1891 $10 gold eagle coins contain 0.4806 ounces of gold, but they are numismatic collectibles and are worth much more than their bullion value alone. Here’s a glance at the mintages and values of the 1891 Liberty Head gold eagles.

• 1891, 91,868 minted; $1,474

• 1891-CC, 103,732; $1,795

• 1891 proof; $48,000

*Values are for coins grading Very Fine 20 unless otherwise noted.

More Carson City (CC) 1891 gold eagles were made than the output from the Philadelphia mint. However, the 1891-CC $10 gold coin is worth more because it’s actually much scarcer today than the Philadelphia 1891 eagle due to melting and attrition through heavy circulation. This is actually a situation that has caused many pre-1933 U.S. gold coins to become scarcer than their mintage figures may suggest. That’s one significant reason it’s advisable to buy certified specimens of 1891 $10 eagle gold coins and other old gold coins whenever possible, as many counterfeit gold coins have been made.