Gold Coins: Basic Facts Part 2

The U.S issued gold coins for general circulation from about 1838 to 1933. The Liberty head bust was depicted on gold coins from 1838 to 1907.

The design for gold coins was altered in 1907 to the Indian head and Saint- Gaudens motifs. These coins remained in circulation until the Great Depression in 1933 when most gold coins then in circulation were recalled by the U. S. mint and melted down. Many gold coins therefore disappeared contributing to their rarity today.

Many collectors have at least one or more gold coins in their collection. Few collectors however are aware of the actual gold content of such coins or of their current numismatic values.

The following provides information on the gold content of the most popular U.S. gold coins and a rough estimate of the current numismatic values (June, 2000) for such coins based on a coin graded XF (Extra Fine).

$1 Gold Liberty Head (1849-1854)
Weight: .0538 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 13mmFine Gold Content: .0483 troy oz. Estimated Value: 110

$1 Gold Indian Princess (1854-1856)
Weight: .0538 troy oz.Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 15mmFine Gold Content: .0483 troy oz. Estimated Value: 110

$1 Gold Indian Head (1856-1889)
Weight: .0538 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 15mmFine Gold Content: .0483 troy oz. Estimated Value: 110

$2 1/2 Liberty Quarter Eagle (1840-1907)
Weight: .1343 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 17mmFine Gold Content: .1209 troy oz. Estimated Value: 145

$5 Liberty Half Eagle (1866-1908)
Weight: .26875 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 21mmFine Gold Content: .2419 troy oz. Estimated Value: 120

$5 Indian Half Eagle (1908-1929)
Weight: .26875 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 21mmFine Gold Content: .2419 troy oz. Estimated Value: 170

$10 Liberty Eagle (1866-1907)
Weight: .5375 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 27mmFine Gold Content: .4838 troy oz. Estimated Value: 215

10 Indian Eagle (1907-1933)
Weight: .5375 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 27mmFine Gold Content: .4838 troy oz. Estimated Value: 210

$20 Liberty Double Eagle (1877-1907)
Weight: 1.0750 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 34mmFine Gold Content: .9675 troy oz.Estimated Value:360

$20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle (1907-1933)
Weight: 1.0750 troy oz. Fineness: .900 or 21.6 karatsDiameter: 34mmFine Gold Content: .9675 troy oz. Estimated Value: 380