1849 Oregon Ten Dollar Gold Pieces

About This Coin

With a combined mintage of only 3 known pieces, the 1849 Oregon Ten Dollar Gold Pieces represent one of the ultimate rarities in American territorial gold coinage. Struck by the Oregon Exchange Company in Oregon City from placer gold recovered from southern Oregon's Rogue River and Illinois River valleys, these pieces match the federal eagle denomination. A notable result of $341,000 in AU55 at Heritage Auctions demonstrates extraordinary values when one of three known examples reaches market. The Oregon Exchange Company was organized by territorial businessmen who recognized the need for coined money where raw gold dust was the primary medium of exchange. The ten-dollar denomination is rarer than the five-dollar pieces, possibly because accumulating sufficient gold for larger-value coins proved more difficult. These rank among the most coveted Pacific Northwest territorial gold issues, representing the sole coinage produced in the Oregon Territory before statehood in 1859. Each specimen has documented provenance tracing its journey through successive generations of elite collectors.