A Brief Overview of Liberty Gold Coins
The production of Liberty Gold Coins or the ‘Coronet head’ commenced in 1839 and were in commission until 1908. During its record 69 year run, this coin became the only gold coin of a single design to be minted at seven US Mints: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Charlotte ("C" mintmark), Dahlonega ("D" mintmark, only until 1861), Carson City ("CC" mintmark), New Orleans ("O" mintmark), San Francisco ("S" mintmark) and Denver ("D" mintmark, beginning in 1906).
Initially Liberty gold coins were minted to represent $10. This version of the coin came to be known as the Liberty Head Eagle due to the eagle etched on its reverse. The subsequent lesser editions of the coins came to be known as half eagle ($5) and quarter eagle ($2.5). Later a double eagle ($20) edition was also released. These coins were designed by Christian Gobrecht, who was asked to fill in the place of William Kneass, the U.S. Mint’s Engraver of that period.
Design ($10 Liberty Gold Coin)
The design of the coin is simple. The obverse contains the head of Venus as it appears in a painting of Benjamin West, called Omnia Vincit Amor. The only difference is in the coronet crown on which the word ‘LIBERTY’ was added. Thirteen stars were added to surround the bust from the 7 o’clock to the 5 o’clock positions, and the date centered at the 6 o’clock position.
Etched on the reverse is a bald eagle, with its rather scrawny looking wings spread, and a shield on its chest. The eagle holds an olive branch and arrows in its talons. Many consider this design to be a rather unusual copy of the ‘Great Seal of the United States of America.’ The eagle is surrounded by the words ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’ from the 7 o’clock to the 5 o’clock positions. The value (TEN D) is present at the 6 o’clock position. The only alteration was done in 1866, when ‘In God We Trust’ was placed on the reverse above the eagle.
Liberty Gold Coin: Collection
While creating the Liberty gold coin, Mint Director Patterson had visions of making it an internationally accepted currency. That is why the Liberty gold coins were designed with a globally recognized face. Such an interesting history puts these coins in a league of their own.
For example, the 1875 batch of Liberty gold coins, minted in Philadelphia, are characterized by an excessively abraded surface and inferior eye appeal. From a batch of 200 coins only 10-12 half eagles are still known to be present. A single such coin could be valued at $100,000.
The associated historical events make the series increases the popularity among collectors and increases the desirability of Liberty gold coins.
We believe that everyone deserves a properly developed strategy for financial safety.
Lynette Zang
Chief Market Analyst, ITM Trading