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As is the case with most other coinage, there are several types and denominations of U.S. gold coins.
There are too many to list in one or two articles, so I’ve decided to pick a few to go into more detail on.
The 4 I’ve chosen are the most common of the gold coins (they’re all types of Eagle coins).
What Are Gold Eagle Coins?
If you’re not a coin collector or you’re just starting to collect coins, then you may be wondering, “What are Eagles?”
Eagles are gold coins that have been given that name due to the different types of eagles depicted on the coin’s reverse side.
There are 4 different denominations of Eagles and several different types and portraits for each denomination of gold Eagle coin:
(click to see all types/portraits for each coin)
- The Quarter Eagle, which is a $2.50 gold coin (1796-1929)
- The Half Eagle, which is a $5 gold coin (1795-1929)
- The Plain Eagle, which is a $10 gold coin (1795-1933)
- The Double Eagle, which is a $20 gold coin (1850-1933)
The Coinage Act of 1792 was the first law to authorize the production of gold coins in the United States of America. Specifically, it mandated the weight and purity of three new coins and denominations: the eagle ($10), the half eagle ($5), and the quarter eagle ($2.50). The half eagle was first off the line in 1795, and the eagle followed later that year. Quarter eagles were first issued in 1796. These denominations were still being issued as late as 1933 (more on that in a few). Each one went through a series of design changes until they settled on the Liberty Head varieties of the Victorian era. These types are increasingly popular with collectors today. Source
Following are details for the 4 most common types of gold Eagle coins…
#1 – $2.50 Indian Head Quarter Eagle Gold Coin
The Indian Head Quarter Eagle gold coin has a denomination of $2.50. It was minted from 1908 until 1929.
Designed by sculptor Bela Pratt, this gold coin has an Indian on the front. On the reverse, it has a picture of a standing Eagle. (This same design is also on the Half Eagle coin below.)
The design on Quarter Eagles and Half Eagles is unique in U.S. coin history — because instead of the design being embossed onto the coin, it is actually sunk into the coin. These are known as incuse coins. Rumors about the incuse design holding onto dirt and germs made these coins unpopular with the public.
These Quarter Eagle gold coins range in value from $320 in Very Fine condition to $500 in MS-60 condition.
NOTE: A lot of times, you can’t go by the book prices with gold coins — due to the gold market fluctuating so much from day to day. One day gold may be down and the coin would be worth more just for the type of coin it is, and the next day gold could be way up in the market and it would be worth more for its weight in gold than the scarceness of the coin.
#2 – $5 Indian Head Half Eagle Gold Coin
Minted from 1908 until 1929, this $5 gold coin is by the same designer and depicts the same design on the front and reverse as the Indian Head Quarter Eagle, only the denomination is different.
Most Indian Head Half Eagles are worth anywhere from $495 in Very Fine condition to $595 in MS-60 condition with these exceptions:
- 1929 – $11,000 to $22,000
- 1915 S – $615 to $2,250
- 1914 S – $615 to $1,850
- 1913 S – $615 to $1,800
- 1912 S – $615 to $2,000
- 1911 S – $540 to $1,000
- 1911 D – $600 to $5,500
- 1910 S – $590 to $1,450
- 1909 S – $590 to $1,750
- 1909 O – $3,250 to $26,500
- 1908 S – $615 to $1,700
Did You Know?… Theodore Roosevelt wanted a redesign of U.S. coins — which led to these Indian Head gold coins.
#3 – $10 Plain Eagle Indian Head Gold Coin
This $10 gold coin also has an Indian Head obverse but it is a much different portrait than the one on Quarter Eagle and Half Eagle gold coins.
Minted from 1907 until 1933, the Plain Eagle gold coin shows the head of Liberty crowned with an Indian war bonnet — and a standing Eagle on the reverse.
The Indian Head Eagle gold coin was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. You may have heard that name before. Saint-Gaudens is considered by many to be the greatest of modern sculptors, and it shows on his coin designs — especially his Double Eagle design (below).
Most $10 Plain Eagle gold coins are worth between $875 in Very Fine condition to $1,100 in MS-60 condition with these exceptions:
- 1930 S – $7,000 to $27,500
- 1920 S – $13,000 to $39,000
- 1913 S – $1,115 to $6,000
- 1912 S – $995 to $1,545
- 1911 S – $995 to $2,450
- 1911 D – $1,115 to $8,100
- 1908 S – $990 to $2,800
#4 – $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin
Minted from 1907 until 1933, the designer of this gold coin was Augustus Saint-Gaudens — who was known to be one of the greatest modern sculptors.
And I have to say, his work on the Double Eagle coin certainly didn’t hurt his career any! This $20 gold coin is considered by many to be the most beautiful U.S. coin ever made. In fact, it’s one of the most sought after coins in the hobby.
- The obverse depicts Liberty walking with her skirt flowing around her, and she’s holding a torch out in front of her.
- The reverse has a picture of a flying Eagle with the sun coming up from the bottom of the coin and its rays shooting up behind the Eagle.
This gold coin holds the record for the most money ever paid for a single coin at a coin auction.
In July of 2002 at an auction held by Sotheby and Stack, a 1933 Gem BU (brilliant uncirculated) Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle sold for $7,590,020. Yes, you read that correctly. That’s over 7 MILLION dollars for one coin — more money than I’d likely ever see in 5 lifetimes!
It sold for so much because all of the 1933 Double Eagles were supposed to be melted down by the U.S. Mint. Only 13 are known to have survived, and that one is the only one that has ever been on the market.
Today, Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles are generally worth between $1,730 in Very Fine condition to $2,000 in MS-60 condition with these exceptions:
- 1933 (of course)
- 1932 – $17,000 to $27,500
- 1931 D – $17,500 to $35,000
- 1931 – $16,500 to $31,000
- 1930 S – $25,000 to $37,500
- 1929 – $11,000 to $25,000
- 1927 S – $8,000 to $27,500
- 1927 D – $250,000 to $400,000
- 1926 S – $2,000 to $3,000
- 1926 D – $12,500 to $17,500
- 1925 S – $3,000 to $10,000
- 1925 D – $2,800 to $5,500
- 1924 S – $2,100 to $3,750
- 1924 D – $2,100 to $4,000
- 1921 – $42,500 to $100,000
- 1920 S – $19,500 to $52,000
- 1913 S – $1,765 to $2,260
- 1909 D – $1,910 to $2,900
- 1908 S – $4,000 to $11,500
- 1907 – $9,600 to $17,000
Just in case you were wondering, second place for the highest amount paid at a coin auction isn’t even close to what was paid for the 1933 Saint-Gaudens gold coin. There’s about a 3 million dollar difference.
Other Types Of U.S. Gold Coins
There were many many types of gold coins produced, but it would be nearly impossible to list them all in detail here.
For example, U.S. other gold coins include:
- Liberty Head one dollar coins
- Indian Princess Head one dollar coins
- Capped bust quarter Eagle coins
- Liberty head quarter Eagles coins
- Indian princess head three dollar coins
- Stella four dollar coins
- Capped bust half Eagle coins
- Liberty head half Eagle coins
- Capped bust Eagle coins
- Liberty head Eagle coins
- Liberty head double Eagle coins
I have been collecting and trading coins for years. Coin collecting is a hobby for me, and I’ve done a lot of research about coins through the years.
I bought the Liberty Quarter eagle which holds the distinction of keeping the same design for the longest time in American history for gold coins.
Gold Liberty Quarter
I have a 1910 St Gaudens twenty dollar gold coin my mother had a gold bezel put around the coin could you let me know about what it would be worth today
have a 1920’s worth today?
Tks
Reinaldo
Hi, Reinaldo —
What type of 1920s gold coin do you have? A $20 gold coin? $10 gold coin? The value varies drastically based on your coin’s denomination…. Also, is the coin a ‘1920-S’ (1920 coin made in San Francisco) or is it a coin from the 1920s (decade)? I’ll need to know the exact date and the denomination, please….
Hi,
Hi,
Look, it’s only a gold coin, do not know if it’s only 1920-S or 1920, as I discover?
Tks
Reinaldo
Hi, I have just discovered a USD 20 coin 1927-D. What could it be worth today? Coin is in perfect condition. I only have the coin and am pretty sure it is real, I do not have a proof.
What could it be worth today?
Hi, Don —
Getting your 1927-D $20 Saint-Gaudens coin is essential. With a value ranging from a $250,000 to $400,000 and up, a respected 3rd-party coin grader like PCGS would be a good choice for certifying and authenticating your coin.
Here’s some more info on coin grading: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/slabbed_coins/
Hi, Don —
Getting your 1927-D $20 Saint-Gaudens coin is essential. With a value ranging from a $250,000 to $400,000 and up, a respected 3rd-party coin grader like PCGS would be a good choice for certifying and authenticating your coin.
Here’s some more info on coin grading: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/slabbed_coins/
Hi, I have just discovered a USD 20 coin 1927-D. What could it be worth today? Coin is in perfect condition. I only have the coin and am pretty sure it is real, I do not have a proof.
What could it be worth today?
whats a 1911 D five dollar gold eagle/ indian coin worth now (2011) ? not a copy, an original.
I went to a Coin shop with no knowledge of the 1911 D 5 dollar gold indian/eagle coin, and the shop keeper had the nerve to tell me that my coin wasnt worth much and compared to his coins his were in better shape. I took a closer look at his and noticed that all his were jus basic as in it was warn out or looked really crappy and didnt have any letters on em. I told him what I thought it was worth (3200 dollars) he had the nerve to laugh at me as he tried to haggle my coin out of my hand for 300 dollars telling me that it wasnt worth much and that he was doing me a favor. I took off pissed off and jus got me thinking that maybe I should look it up and what were the odds that this coins worth something more than that old guesser was offering. Now im still curious on whats its true value, Ive seen so many sites and yet Im still not sure. “1911-D $5 Indian/ Eagle gold coin” an original not a copy
Now I just really wanna know its true value, its in very good condition
Hi, Terry —
Well, without seeing the coin it’s hard to say what its numismatic value is. I can, however, tell you that with the current value of gold per ounce, a $5 Indian gold half eagle has around $340 of gold in it. Here’s a link to the current spot value of gold coins: https://www.coinflation.com/gold_coin_values.html
Now, a 1911-D $5 gold half eagle is one of the more common dates; it would have to be uncirculated to bring in $3,000 to $4,000. I recommend if you’re trying to sell your coin you get a few more quotes before settling on which dealer to sell your piece to.
question. I am looking at potentially purchasing an 1800 $10 liberty (turban head) gold eagle. it is rated AU50. I have seen pricing all over the board. What is a fair estimated value of a coin such as this? More in the $10K-$15K range or more in the $20K+ range?
Gausman –
Great question – fair value depends not just on the actual wear-based grade, but also eye appeal (color, number of nicks, scratches, etc.) and other factors (was the coin cleaned, does it have damage, etc.) It sounds like the coin you’re describing may be in a slab (read more about slabbed coins here: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/slabbed_coins/), so the coin likely is not damaged or cleaned. Still, overall eye appeal does play into the pricing game, and if you have a chance to make an offer, I’d place an estimation on the coin of what you’re willing to pay and perhaps increase that offer more if the seller doesn’t bite. Here is another price guide you may find useful in helping to make your decision: https://www.pcgs.com/Prices/PriceGuideDetail.aspx?MS=1&PR=1&SP=1&c=63&title=Draped+Bust+%2410
Good luck!
Hello, I have a gold $2.50 Indian head and a full eagle and on the eagle side it has E PLURIBUS UNUM. Do you no what it would be worth? Thanks Kevin
Hello, Dean –
Values depend largely on the date and condition of the coin, but in general a $2.50 Indian Head gold coin is currently worth around $200-$250 at a minimum.
Hi I have a 1927 double eagle gold roller in mint condition cn you tell me what this would be worth.
Hello, Sheila –
A 1927 double eagle gold coin is worth around $1,800 in mint state condition. Your best bet to get the most money would be to sell this to a local coin dealer.
Here’s some more info on coin dealers: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/coin_dealer/
I have a 1911 Denver Mint Plain Eagle. How much would it be worth today?
A have a 1933 $20 Gold St. Gauden double eagle gold coin with copy # 0c1107 imprinted below the eagle. Wat does this mean and how much could the coin possibly be worth?
Hi, Shawna –
Well, your coin is a replica of the world-famous 1933 $20 Saint Gaudens double eagle, a coin that once sold for more than $7 million at auction. Yours, however, is a novelty piece worth a couple dollars.
I am living in the netherlands and I have a saint gaudens double eagle from 1920 in great condition. This coin is made into a golden broche. Anybody interested in buying?
I have a 1927 liberty gold coin double head. How much is it worth??
I have 1929 Saint Gaudens double eagle is a twenty-dollar gold coin. I want to sell it but I don’t know how and where? May you help me please! Thank you
Hi, Mark –
Your best bet is to sell it to your nearest reputable coin dealer (not a jeweler or pawn shop). Here’s a searchable, nationwide list of coin dealers listed with the Professional Numismatists Guild: https://www.pngdealers.org/find-a-png-dealer
And here are tips for finding a good coin dealer: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/coin_dealer/
Good luck!
Josh