$10 Indian Head Gold MS-65 Coin (Random Year)

Want a gold investment that is both valuable and beautiful? Then take hold of a $10 Indian Gold Eagle MS65 from a random year, featuring an eye-catching design by respected sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The production of this Gold Eagle was driven by President Theodore Roosevelt's desire to produce American coins of artistic merit, like those he admired of the ancient world. So Roosevelt was instrumental in ensuring that Saint-Gaudens, the most respected American Sculptor of the era and a personal friend, was commissioned to design the new coinage.

Saint-Gaudens set to work designing a number of new coins, but his health failed quickly and only two of the coins he designed ever made it into production. However, you can hold one in the palm of your hand - a $10 Indian Gold Eagle MS65. The classification of this coin with a Mint State of 65 means you can be assured a piece with a quality of strike and luster that is above average, setting it apart from many surviving coins of its ilk.

This coin features an unusual portrayal of Lady Liberty on the obverse side, sporting a feathered war bonnet emblazoned with the word LIBERTY. Roosevelt felt that the Indian headdress was a symbol that was both "distinctly American and very picturesque," hence its inclusion on the design. So Saint-Gaudens amended his original model to include the headdress. It was a decision that caused outrage amongst commentators for being absurd, fantastical and historically inaccurate - yet what mythical figures are historically accurate? Perhaps what this debate really indicates is the degree to which this coin's design achieved something new and fresh, which was quite distinct from American coins that had previously been produced. Above this inimitable Liberty portrait are 13 stars symbolic of the original states of the union, while below is the year of issue. These $10 Indian Gold Eagles were produced every year between 1907 and 1916, and then sporadically until 1933; your coin will be from a random year of issue.

The reverse design features a left-facing eagle redolent of those shown on the coins of the ancient Ptolemaic Kingdom. Here the eagle is shown standing on arrows and an olive branch, representing that America is a peace loving country, but one prepared to defend itself. Curving around the top of the design is the country of issue, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To the right of the eagle is the phrase. E PLURIBUS UNUM. Taken from the great seal of the United States, it means "Out of many, one." The origins of this motto can be traced to Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who coined the phrase "The one is made up of all things, and all things issue from the one." A variation of this phrase was subsequently used by London-based publisher Peter Anthony Monteux, on his monthly magazine The Gentleman's Journal where it potentially came to the attention of Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, who recommended it for use on the great seal in 1776. Below the standing eagle is the value of TEN DOLLARS.

The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" can be seen to the left of the eagle on most coins. However, it was not integrated into the design until 1908 - so some examples exist without it. It has been suggested that Roosevelt felt it was improper to invoke God's name on coinage. However, following a public outcry, Congress insisted that the motto should be included on all coins. The design of this Gold Eagle is completed with raised stars around the edge of the coin. This is a departure for coinage, which usually embraces a lettered or reeded edge.

The Indian Gold Eagle was a coin that proved impractical to produce in the original high relief design, so modifications were made so that it was possible to produce in a single strike. The modifications included the addition of a standard rim, to mitigate the formation of an extrusion from the coin that had proven easy to break off, affecting the intended weight. The $10 Indian Gold Eagle coins are wrought from 0.900 fine gold; they are therefore composed of 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, with a weight of 16.7200g and a diameter of 27mm. Your order will be fulfilled with a random year, certified with a Mint State of 65. Make it a treasured part of your collection today.

Overview of the Common Date $10 Indian Gold Eagle MS65:

• U.S. Mint
• Mint state of 65
• Metal: gold
• Fineness: 0.900
• 90% gold, 10% copper
•  Weight: 16.7200g
• Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Orders placed for products that are not a specific year will be fulfilled with coins of any date, based on availability. Orders of multiple coins may be filled with the same year or a variety of years.