Indian Head Gold Eagle Values
How Much Indian Head Gold Eagles are Worth: Indian Head Gold Eagle Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | (None) Phil | Indian | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $1,904.00 | $2,346.00 | $2,022.00 | $2,694.00 | $5,105.00 | $8,884.00 | $18,125.00 |
| 1907 | (None) Phil | Rolled Edge Satin Finish 1 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | No Motto | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,229.00 | $2,189.00 | $5,065.00 | $8,875.00 | $17,500.00 | $39,300.00 |
| 1908 | D | No Motto | -- | -- | -- | $2,184.00 | $2,021.00 | $2,398.00 | $2,867.00 | $6,800.00 | $15,300.00 | $60,900.00 | $92,750.00 |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | Motto | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,131.00 | $2,299.00 | $2,705.00 | $5,343.00 | $8,960.00 | $13,525.00 |
| 1908 | (None) Phil | 50-65 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19,225.00 | $44,000.00 | $73,900.00 | $101,800.00 | $140,250.00 |
| 1909 | D | Motto | -- | -- | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,232.00 | $2,404.00 | $6,669.00 | $10,780.00 | $36,400.00 | $54,500.00 |
| 1909 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,175.00 | $2,303.00 | $2,364.00 | $2,421.00 | $5,185.00 | $11,985.00 | $16,400.00 | $31,550.00 | $49,650.00 |
| 1909 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,218.00 | $2,310.00 | $3,138.00 | $6,513.00 | $14,030.00 | $30,700.00 |
| 1909 | D | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,218.00 | $2,377.00 | $5,060.00 | $11,590.00 | $31,250.00 | $59,500.00 |
| 1909 | (None) Phil | 50-65 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19,225.00 | $44,000.00 | $73,900.00 | $101,800.00 | $187,750.00 |
| 1910 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $1,941.00 | $2,258.00 | $2,367.00 | $2,861.00 | $9,210.00 | $20,900.00 |
| 1910 | D | -- | -- | -- | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,218.00 | $2,272.00 | $2,223.00 | $2,495.00 | $7,388.00 | $19,550.00 |
| 1910 | S | -- | -- | $2,348.00 | $2,487.00 | $2,624.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,288.00 | $7,330.00 | $17,650.00 | $99,500.00 | $308,500.00 | $556,250.00 |
| 1910 | (None) Phil | 60-75 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19,225.00 | $44,000.00 | $73,900.00 | $101,800.00 | $157,750.00 |
| 1911 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,274.00 | $2,418.00 | $2,488.00 | $4,690.00 | $15,900.00 | $17,700.00 | $28,350.00 | $47,850.00 |
| 1911 | D | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,056.00 | $2,272.00 | $2,143.00 | $3,410.00 | $10,340.00 | $30,850.00 |
| 1911 | S | -- | -- | -- | $1,045.00 | $1,090.00 | $1,101.00 | $1,219.00 | $1,639.00 | $5,350.00 | $11,115.00 | $56,400.00 | $108,750.00 |
| 1912 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $1,923.00 | $2,283.00 | $2,390.00 | $3,091.00 | $9,100.00 | $16,400.00 |
| 1912 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,302.00 | $2,468.00 | $2,678.00 | $4,965.00 | $20,050.00 | $43,875.00 | $186,750.00 | $363,750.00 |
| 1912 | (None) Phil | 40-55 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19,225.00 | $44,000.00 | $73,900.00 | $101,800.00 | $140,250.00 |
| 1913 | (None) Phil | 40-50 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $18,950.00 | $42,900.00 | $71,700.00 | $98,500.00 | $134,750.00 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,248.00 | $2,285.00 | $2,618.00 | $5,380.00 | $9,788.00 | $23,150.00 |
| 1914 | D | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,248.00 | $2,322.00 | $2,750.00 | $3,798.00 | $13,035.00 | $33,050.00 |
| 1914 | S | -- | -- | -- | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,219.00 | $2,258.00 | $2,493.00 | $6,305.00 | $12,118.00 | $38,450.00 | $213,000.00 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | 40-45 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19,225.00 | $44,000.00 | $73,900.00 | $124,300.00 | $165,250.00 |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,075.00 | $2,272.00 | $2,795.00 | $4,495.00 | $11,213.00 | $26,025.00 |
| 1915 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,334.00 | $2,559.00 | $3,105.00 | $7,330.00 | $17,680.00 | $29,600.00 | $96,250.00 | $193,750.00 |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | 35-45 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19,225.00 | $45,100.00 | $75,000.00 | $124,500.00 | $160,500.00 |
| 1916 | S | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,295.00 | $2,876.00 | $6,138.00 | $10,205.00 | $29,600.00 | $59,200.00 |
| 1920 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $30,250.00 | $42,300.00 | $48,800.00 | $96,500.00 | $161,750.00 | $247,500.00 | $423,000.00 | $616,250.00 |
| 1926 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,005.00 | $2,272.00 | $1,953.00 | $2,462.00 | $3,513.00 | $11,838.00 |
| 1930 | S | -- | -- | -- | $22,000.00 | $23,100.00 | $26,400.00 | $31,900.00 | $53,100.00 | $75,650.00 | $89,600.00 | $107,850.00 | $263,000.00 |
| 1932 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $2,105.00 | $2,115.00 | $2,184.00 | $2,205.00 | $2,188.00 | $2,272.00 | $2,541.00 | $2,405.00 | $3,513.00 | $10,820.00 |
| 1933 | (None) Phil | 30-40 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $148,500.00 | $192,500.00 | $332,000.00 | $485,500.00 | $775,000.00 | $1,365,000.00 |
History of the Indian Head Gold Eagle
The Indian Head Gold Eagle is one of the most important coins in U.S. numismatic history thanks to its bold design and the era it represents. Struck between 1907 and 1933, the series reflects a major shift in American coin design initiated by Theodore Roosevelt and executed by sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens.
Roosevelt, dissatisfied with what he considered the artistic mediocrity of U.S. coins, engaged Saint-Gaudens around 1904 to elevate their design. The gold eagle ($10) coin, among others, became a centerpiece of this effort.
The obverse depicts Liberty wearing a Native American war bonnet, a clear departure from classical Greco-Roman motifs, while the reverse presents a strong standing eagle perched on a bundle of arrows and holding an olive branch, symbolizing readiness for conflict but desire for peace.
Technically, the coin holds approximately 0.48375 troy ounces of gold, weighs 16.718 grams, and was struck at the Philadelphia, Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints. In 1908, Congress mandated the inclusion of the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” after the first issues omitted it, causing public outcry. The design was adjusted accordingly, and the series continued until the gold coinage era ended with Executive Order 6102, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed on April 5, 1933.
This coin represents several key themes: artistic innovation, a shift in U.S. minting philosophy, and the end of circulating gold coins in America.
Rarest Coins in the Series
When assessing rarity and collectible desirability in the Indian Head Gold Eagle series, certain dates, mint marks, and varieties stand out prominently.
- The 1907 Philadelphia “Wire Rim” / “Rolled Rim” types: These early, high-relief issues were quickly modified by the mint due to striking difficulties, and the survivors are extremely scarce.
- The 1911-D (Denver) issue: With a mintage of only 30,100 coins, it is one of the rarest regular-issue dates in the series in circulation grades.
- The 1913-S (San Francisco) issue: With a mintage of around 66,000 and relatively low survival in high grades, this date sells for higher prices.
- The 1920-S issue: Although more coins were minted (mintage ~126,500), heavy melting and export losses mean that high-grade survivors are few.
- The 1933 final issue: The majority of the original 312,500 coins melted during the gold recall; only a handful of survivors remain. This variant is one of the toughest U.S. gold coins to find.
Overall, while many “common” dates exist and may trade nearer to gold-melt value, the top-tier rarities show a sharp increase in the Indian Head Gold Eagle value, especially in uncirculated, properly graded condition.
Types of Collections
Collectors interested in the Indian Head Gold Eagle have several approaches depending on goals, budget, and specialization.
- Representative / Type Set: The collector might acquire one example of the Indian Head Gold Eagle (perhaps a more accessible date in AU or lower grade) to represent the series in a broader U.S. gold type collection.
- Complete Date/Mint Mark Set: A more ambitious collector aims to obtain at least one example of each date and mint mark from 1907 to 1933 (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco). Focus may stay on business strikes rather than proofs.
- Investment/Trophy Piece Strategy: At the top end, a collector may concentrate solely on one or two flagship coins; for instance, a 1911-D MS65 or better, or a superb 1907 Wire Rim piece.
Each collecting type differs in cost, risk, and specialization. As one moves from general type sets to condition-focused, variety-rich approaches, premiums rise and the serious market narrows.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
For those just entering U.S. gold coin collecting, the Indian Head Gold Eagle presents a more demanding but rewarding series. More common dates and circulated examples may still carry a gold-metal floor but allow engaging with design, mintmarks, and numismatic history. Beginners should learn to verify authenticity, check for common wear points (Liberty’s headdress feathers, eagle arrow bundle), and understand grading fundamentals.
Advanced Collecting
At the advanced level, collectors dive deep into die varieties (Wire Rim vs. Rolled Rim, No Motto vs. With Motto), condition sensitivity (MS-60, MS-63 grades), provenance, and market trends. Subtle differences can dramatically affect the Indian Head Gold Eagle’s value; for example, a weak mint mark, a slight surface mark, or a modest grade drop may mean thousands of dollars’ difference. Advanced collectors also study auction results and certified population data and may hold coins long-term as investments.
Whether starting or specializing, this series offers progression from entry-level acquisition through to elite flagship ownership.
Investment Potential
From an investment perspective, the Indian Head Gold Eagle series offers several notable attributes:
- Intrinsic gold content: The coin contains approximately 0.48375 troy ounces of gold, providing a baseline value floor aligned with gold market prices.
- Artistic and historical significance: With the Saint-Gaudens design, Roosevelt’s coinage reform, and the end of circulating gold coins in America, the coin’s history helps drive collector demand beyond its metal value.
- Scarcity in high-grade and rare-date specimens: As noted above, dates and varieties in uncirculated grades are rare, which supports their appreciation potential. Auction records and value guides show significant premiums for well-preserved examples.
- Diversification into numismatic gold: Investors who value both precious metal and collectability may find the Indian Head Gold Eagle fits into a hybrid portfolio of bullion and numismatic assets.
However, caution is warranted: many low-grade or heavily circulated examples of common dates trade near gold-melt value and may not appreciate significantly. Market liquidity at the high end can be narrow and competition for top pieces is strong. Grading, certification, surface preservation, and provenance all matter. When properly selected, the Indian Head Gold Eagle value can exceed the gold-content baseline by several times, offering meaningful long-term potential for both collectors and investors.