Indian $10 Eagles, 1907-1933

The Indian Head Eagle, along with the double eagles struck between 1907 and 1933, were designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and are considered the most aesthetic and classically designed of all U.S. coins. Issued between 1907 and 1933, these coins were part of a true renaissance in U.S. coinage design. They were issued in two distinct types. In 1907 and part of 1908, the motto, "In God We Trust," was not included in the coins' design because President Roosevelt personally objected to the use of the Deity's name on coinage. The motto was, however, restored in 1908 by an act of Congress.

1907-1908 Indian, No Motto Type
1908-1933 Indian, With Motto Type

The Indian Eagle was struck at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints. One innovation associated with this series was the use of stars on the edge, one for each state of the union. 46 stars were used between 1907 and 1911, increased to 48 stars between 1912 and 1933. No coins were minted between 1917 and 1919, 1921 and 1925, 1927 and 1929 or 1931. The 1933 issue is one of a collector's most highly coveted issues available today since there are very few known issues remaining and it is a 1933-dated gold coin that is legal to own. Conversely, the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle is not legal and has been confiscated by the U.S. government upon previous occasions! The "rolled edge with periods" pieces of 1907 are technically considered patterns, although often collected as part of the regular series. Most of the branch mint issues are scarce, especially the 1911-D and S, the 1913-S, 1920-S and 1930-S. Most of the 192O-S, 1930-S, and 1933 issues were destroyed after gold coinage was suspended in 1933.