10 Dollars American Eagle "Liberty Head" Gold Coin | 1866-1907

10 Dollars, Liberty Head

16.718 g gross, .900 fine, 15.046 g of pure gold, 27.00 mm across, with a reeded edge. Designed by Christian Gobrecht and struck from 1838; this is the With Motto type of 1866 to 1907.

Specifications

With Motto and No Motto

The type ran from 1838 without a motto. In 1866 IN GOD WE TRUST was added on a scroll above the eagle, engraved by James Barton Longacre. Coins from 1866 onward are the With Motto type; the 1866-S exists in both, struck either side of the change.

Obverse and reverse

The obverse shows Liberty facing left in a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, hair gathered in a bun, with thirteen stars and the date.

The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, holding three arrows and an olive branch, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TEN D.

1933 and the recall

Executive Order 6102 of April 1933 required Americans to surrender gold coin, and the great majority of the pre-1933 issues were melted. That is why these coins are scarcer than their mintage figures suggest, and why survivors are graded and priced as numismatic items rather than as plain bullion.

Exactly 900, and why that matters

HMRC’s test for gold bullion is a fineness of not less than 900 thousandths. This coin is exactly 900. It clears the threshold, but with nothing to spare — a coin a shade below that line would attract VAT as a collectable rather than being treated as bullion gold.

VAT and UK capital gains tax

HMRC treats a coin minted after 1800 as bullion gold if it is at least 900 thousandths fine, is or has been legal tender in its country of origin, and normally sells at no more than 180 per cent of the open market value of its gold (VAT Notice 701/21A). The coin is .900 fine, was United States legal tender and is sold on the gold price, so it meets all three tests.

Capital gains tax is a separate matter. The UK exemption follows sterling legal tender, so it covers Sovereigns and Britannias but not a United States coin. This is a statement of the published rule, not tax advice — your own position depends on your circumstances.

Questions buyers ask

What does With Motto mean? That IN GOD WE TRUST appears above the eagle. It was added in 1866; earlier coins of the same type have no motto.

How much gold does it contain? 15.046 g of pure gold at .900 fineness.

Which date and mint will I receive? A mixed date as available. Philadelphia, San Francisco, Carson City and New Orleans all struck this coin, and some mint and date pairs are rare.

Is it exempt from UK capital gains tax? No. That exemption follows sterling legal tender.

Authenticity checked at GoldInvest24 before dispatch. Other sizes are on the historic gold coins page. Live quotes on the precious metals prices page.