Indian Head Eagles 1907-1933

About This Series

The final work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the Indian Head eagle was part of President Theodore Roosevelt's crusade to elevate American coinage artistry. The obverse depicts Liberty wearing a feathered war bonnet — a unique artistic choice generating both admiration and controversy. The original 1907 issues omitted IN GOD WE TRUST by Roosevelt's direction, as he considered the motto irreverent on coins; Congress mandated restoration in 1908, creating Without Motto and With Motto subtypes. Struck in .900 fine gold at 16.718 grams and 27 mm, the design featured an incuse (sunken) technique — devices recessed below the field rather than raised — a radical departure shared only with the quarter eagle. Production occurred at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The 1933 became a famous rarity following the gold recall, with legal ownership contested for decades. The Gold Reserve Act of 1934 ended American gold coinage entirely, making this the last circulating $10 gold coin in U.S. history.

Series Information