1861 Clark, Gruber & Co. Ten Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$81,000 MS63 01-16-2022 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1861 Clark, Gruber & Company Eagle features the firm's updated design for their second year, with a new Liberty head replacing the 1860 Pikes Peak mountain motif. The ten-dollar denomination was crucial for larger transactions in the booming Colorado economy. The 1861 $10 adopts a more standardized approach with a coronet Liberty head on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. "CLARK GRUBER & CO." maintains the firm's commercial identity while "PIKES PEAK GOLD" certifies the Western origin of the gold content. The 1861 eagle was among the last issues before the federal government acquired the Clark Gruber facility. The purchase price of $25,000 reflected the substantial investment assembled in barely two years. The transition marked the end of Colorado's territorial gold coinage era.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Estimated 25-40 surviving examples. The 1861 $10 is generally more available than the celebrated 1860 Pikes Peak reverse variety.

Cross References

Kagin K-7; NGC #31188