1897 Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle

1897 Liberty Head $10 gold eagles were struck in fairly large number, but far fewer exist today for coin collectors. That’s largely because many 1897 gold eagles have been melted or lost to time due through attrition from heavy circulation. That’s one reason those who seek to buy old gold coins, such as the 1897 Liberty Head eagle, should purchase certified specimens. Why? Because many unscrupulous individuals have created counterfeit versions of these pre-1933 U.S. gold coins.

1897 $10 gold eagle coins contain 0.4806 ounces of gold, though they are worth much more than their bullion value because of their significant collectible value. Here’s a rundown of the mintages and values of the 1897 Liberty Head gold eagles:

• 1897, 1,000,159 minted; $1,474

• 1897-O, 42,500; $1,539

• 1897-S, 234,750; $1,539

*Values are for coins grading Very Fine 20.

Christian Gobrecht designed 1897 Liberty Head gold eagles, a coin type first released decades earlier in 1838. Gobrecht served as the third chief engraver of the United States Mint, and he designed several coins during his tenure at the U.S. Mint. The most popular Gobrecht coin design type, aside from the one on 1897 Liberty Head $10 gold coins, is Seated Liberty coinage, which was struck during a time span generally ranging from the late 1830s to the early 1890s.