Liberty Head $10 gold eagle (1838–1907) melt value
The Liberty Head eagle is a US $10 gold coin made from 1838 to 1907. It is 90% gold and holds just under half a troy ounce of pure gold. Like other pre-1933 US gold, it often sells above its melt value, and early dates, Carson City (CC) coins and coins in top condition can be worth much more, so ask a coin dealer for a collector price before selling it for its gold. Here's what the gold inside is worth at today's live price.
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How do I know if my liberty head $10 gold eagle is gold?
The front shows Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet with the word LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars. The back shows an eagle with a shield on its chest and the denomination "TEN D." at the bottom. It measures 27 mm across and weighs about 16.7 grams. Coins from 1866 onward have "IN GOD WE TRUST" on a banner above the eagle; earlier coins do not, and 1866 coins were made both ways. Branch-mint coins have a small O, S, CC or D mint mark below the eagle and above "TEN D."; Philadelphia coins have none. It was replaced in 1907 by the Indian Head eagle.
Why does a dealer pay less than melt value?
Dealers need room to cover refining, shipping and resale costs, so most pay a percentage of melt value for common-date coins.
Is it legal to melt coins?
US rules prohibit melting one-cent and five-cent coins. That rule does not cover dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars or bullion coins. Most people sell coins whole to a dealer rather than melting them.