Liberty Coronet Eagles
The start of the Liberty Coronet Gold Eagle series also marked the start of new specifications for the denomination. The change was prompted by higher world gold prices that made the melt value of the ten dollar gold coins higher than the face value. Production was suspended from 1804 until 1837, when two acts of Congress adjusted both the purity and weight of the gold denominations.
The Liberty Gold Eagle had a composition of 90% gold and 10% copper. The weight of the coins was 16.718 grams, which yielded a net weight of .48375 of pure gold.
Christian Gobrecht was the designer of the new series which featured the head of Liberty on the obverse. She wore a coronet with the word “Liberty” and was surrounded by thirteen stars. The reverse design of the coin featured a bald eagle with a shield at its chest and olive branches and arrows in its talons. Starting in 1866, a scroll was added above the eagle, which included the motto “In God We Trust”.
The design proved to be an enduring one, lasting until 1907 when it was finally replaced by the Indian Head design by Augustus Saint Gaudens. During the series, coins were struck at Philadelphia, Denver, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
Liberty Coronet Eagle Coin Specifications
| Dates: | 1838-1907 |
| Mints: | Philadelphia |
| Carson City | |
| Denver | |
| New Orleans | |
| San Francisco | |
| Composition: | 90% gold |
| 10% copper | |
| Weight: | 16.718 grams |
| Diameter: | 27 mm |