One of only two coins designed by America's most acclaimed sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens (learn more about the other coin here,) this $10 gold coin is one of the most exquisite gold coins our nation has ever struck.
Design of the $10 Indian Gold Coin - The $10 Indian Head's obverse (front) features the head of Liberty, donning an Indian war bonnet that reads 'LIBERTY'. Thirteen stars representing the nation's 13 original colonies arc above Liberty's head. The date appears at the bottom of the coin. The reverse (back) depicts a proud Bald Eagle puffing its chest as it stands among olive branches.
The Latin phrase 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' lies to the viewer's right of the eagle. The words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and the denomination ('TEN DOLLARS') appear at the top and bottom of the coin, respectively. The motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' was added to the coin in the middle of 1908 by order of Congress. Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this striking gold coin is that the edge of the coin features raised stars signifying the states of the Union, rather than a lettered or reeded edge. Coins struck from 1907 to 1911 feature 46 stars. Two more stars were added the following year to commemorate the addition of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union.
$10 Indian Coin Minting Information - The $10 Indian was originally struck with a wire rim in 1907, which gave the coin a more 3-Dimensional appearance. Only 500 were produced before the Mint began producing regular strikes later in the same year.