1909 $10 Indian Gold Eagle PCGS MS64 CAC

IntroductionThe 1909 $10 Indian Gold Eagle graded PCGS MS64 CAC is an impressive Choice Mint State example of a Philadelphia issue that becomes increasingly scarce at higher grades. Certified MS64 by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and approved by Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), this coin combines high-grade preservation with the historic appeal of classic pre-1933 United States gold. Containing approximately .48375 troy ounces of pure gold, the 1909 Indian Eagle brings together numismatic quality, substantial gold content, and the artistry of Augustus Saint-Gaudens.HistoryThe Indian Head Eagle debuted in 1907 during President Theodore Roosevelt's campaign to elevate the artistic quality of American coinage. Roosevelt commissioned renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign the nation's $10 and $20 gold coins, resulting in two dramatically different designs that helped redefine American coinage at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Indian Head Eagle remained in production through 1933, although coins were not struck in every year.The Philadelphia Mint struck 184,789 Indian Head Eagles in 1909. While examples can be found in lower Mint State grades, the 1909 becomes considerably more difficult as the level of preservation increases, giving higher-grade survivors particular collector appeal. By 1909, the series also carried the mottoIN GOD WE TRUST, which had been restored to the reverse during 1908 following congressional action. At PCGS MS64 with CAC approval, this example offers an impressive combination of preservation and quality within an issue known for its condition rarity.DesignThe obverse features Liberty facing left, wearing a feathered headdress inscribed withLIBERTY. Thirteen stars representing the original states appear above the portrait, while the date 1909 is positioned below. Saint-Gaudens' bold interpretation of Liberty gives the Indian Head Eagle a distinctive appearance unlike earlier United States gold coin designs.The reverse depicts a bald eagle standing upon a bundle of arrows wrapped with an olive branch, symbols of military preparedness and peace. The inscriptionsUNITED STATES OF AMERICA,E PLURIBUS UNUM,IN GOD WE TRUST, andTEN DOLLARScomplete the design. With no mintmark present, this 1909 issue was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.