Turban Head Gold Eagle Values
How Much Turban Head Gold Eagles are Worth:Turban 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1795 | (None) Phil | 13 Leaves, 400-600 Known, SRS: R2+ | -- | $35,000.00 | $36,100.00 | $44,400.00 | $67,350.00 | $101,000.00 | $190,750.00 | $453,200.00 | $789,500.00 | $1,397,500.00 | $2,350,000.00 |
| 1796 | (None) Phil | 125-175 Known, SRS: R4 | -- | -- | $29,700.00 | $36,300.00 | $67,350.00 | $101,000.00 | $190,750.00 | $508,520.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1797 | (None) Phil | Small Eagle, 50-60 Known | -- | -- | $39,600.00 | $52,800.00 | $80,750.00 | $119,000.00 | $260,000.00 | $478,500.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1797 | (None) Phil | Large Eagle, 200-250 Known, SRS: R3+ | -- | -- | $11,000.00 | $17,425.00 | $26,550.00 | $34,300.00 | $71,250.00 | $234,500.00 | $308,000.00 | -- | -- |
| 1798/7 | (None) Phil | 9x4 stars. 80-100 Known, SRS: R4+ | -- | -- | $20,350.00 | $26,950.00 | $50,500.00 | $62,500.00 | $164,000.00 | $369,250.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1799 | (None) Phil | Large stars Obverse, 300-400 Known, SRS: R3+ | -- | $13,500.00 | $12,700.00 | $14,860.00 | $17,925.00 | $20,800.00 | $36,250.00 | $74,995.00 | $168,750.00 | $301,000.00 | $574,000.00 |
| 1799 | (None) Phil | Small Stars Obverse, 400-550 Known, SRS: R3 | -- | $13,500.00 | $12,700.00 | $14,860.00 | $18,297.00 | $21,240.00 | $36,938.00 | $83,800.00 | $201,500.00 | $298,800.00 | $440,000.00 |
| 1800 | (None) Phil | 200-300 SRS: R3+ | -- | -- | $9,900.00 | $14,860.00 | $17,925.00 | $20,800.00 | $37,625.00 | $88,500.00 | $326,250.00 | $470,250.00 | $660,000.00 |
| 1801 | (None) Phil | 650-850 Known, SRS: R3+ | -- | $13,500.00 | $12,975.00 | $15,135.00 | $18,475.00 | $21,900.00 | $36,250.00 | $71,250.00 | $151,150.00 | $279,500.00 | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Small Reverse Stars, 200-275 Known, SRS: R3+ | -- | -- | $12,100.00 | $16,125.00 | $19,775.00 | $24,700.00 | $43,450.00 | $79,950.00 | $184,750.00 | $487,500.00 | -- |
| 1803 | (None) Phil | Large Reerse stars, 100-120 Known, SRS: R4+ | -- | -- | $10,450.00 | $12,045.00 | $19,775.00 | $24,750.00 | $44,250.00 | $80,500.00 | $162,750.00 | $278,000.00 | $440,000.00 |
| 1804 | (None) Phil | Crosslet 4, 80-100 Known SRS: R4+ | -- | -- | $22,000.00 | $25,850.00 | $37,900.00 | $51,150.00 | $144,750.00 | $356,250.00 | $587,500.00 | -- | -- |
| 1804 | (None) Phil | Plain 4, 4 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $3,040,000.00 | $4,075,000.00 | $7,150,000.00 | -- |
History of the Turban Head Gold Eagle
The Turban Head Gold Eagle, struck from 1795 to 1804, was the first $10 gold coin issued by the United States Mint. Designed by Robert Scot, the U.S. Mint’s first Chief Engraver, this early gold coin reflected early efforts to participate in global commerce and coinage.
The obverse of the coin features Liberty facing right, adorned with a soft cap often mistaken for a turban, hence its nickname. This design was derived from classical European influences, depicting Liberty in a neo-classical style. Surrounding her were thirteen stars, symbolizing the original states, although this number varied by year and type. The reverse initially displayed a small eagle within a wreath, but by 1797, this design was replaced with a more powerful heraldic eagle, a common design change in early U.S. coinage of the period.
The coin’s specifications were equally significant. Each Turban Head Gold Eagle contained about 0.5156 troy ounces of pure gold and weighed 270 grains (17.50 g) at .9167 fine (22 karats). It was a coin meant for large financial transactions and international trade, and its high gold content supported a strong bullion value. However, when gold prices exceeded the $10 face value, many were exported or melted.
Rarest Coins in the Series
All dates in the Turban Head Gold Eagle series are scarce, but several stand out as major rarities in early U.S. numismatics.
- 1795 Turban Head Gold Eagle: The first $10 gold coin ever issued by the United States. It exists in two major varieties: 9 Leaves and 13 Leaves in the palm branch beneath the eagle. This inaugural issue marks the start of U.S. gold coinage and brings strong premiums across grades.
- 1797 Turban Head Gold Eagle (Small Eagle and Heraldic Eagle): A transitional year that saw the replacement of the Small Eagle reverse with the Heraldic Eagle. Collectors seek both, especially the scarcer Small Eagle type, as it marks the end of an era in early design.
- 1804 Turban Head Gold Eagle: The business strike Crosslet 4 variety is very scarce (roughly 90–120 known) and has realized prices from the hundreds of thousands to the low seven figures at auction, depending on grade and eye appeal. The far rarer Proof Plain 4 restrikes (struck circa 1834, about four known) are marquee pieces that have sold for millions, including a record above $5 million.
Other collectible varieties include overdates such as the 1798/7, where a die was repunched from the previous year. Additionally, examples struck with an early hand-operated screw press frequently display die cracks, uneven strikes, or planchet imperfections, features that provide insight into early mint technology and add historical context.
Types of Collections
Collectors pursue Turban Head Gold Eagles through several strategies:
- Type Collecting: Many collectors aim to obtain one representative example from each major U.S. gold design type. The Turban Head is a key component of early U.S. gold type sets.
- Variety Collecting: Specialists seek out date and variety combinations, such as the 1795 9 Leaves vs. 13 Leaves or 1797 Small vs. Heraldic Eagle reverses.
- Mint State Collections: Because true Mint State specimens are extremely rare, some elite collectors focus on acquiring the highest-graded examples available, often certified by PCGS or NGC.
- Historical Collections: Museums and advanced numismatists often collect Turban Head Eagles as historical artifacts, representing early U.S. economic development and craftsmanship.
Because of the limited supply and strong demand, most collections include circulated examples, though even these are often priced in the five- to six-figure range, depending on condition and provenance.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
For beginner collectors, the Turban Head Gold Eagle may be out of reach due to its rarity and high market value. However, they can start with more affordable early gold types, such as later Liberty Head Eagles or Indian Head Eagles, to build foundational knowledge in U.S. gold coinage before pursuing this early design.
Advanced Collecting
Advanced collectors, on the other hand, treat the Turban Head Eagle as a centerpiece of early U.S. coinage. Their focus is often on originality, eye appeal, and historical documentation. Provenance also plays a crucial role; coins from famous collections like Garrett, Bass, or Eliasberg are often noted in provenance and catalogs. Numismatic scholars may also study the die pairings and striking characteristics of individual coins and document early mint practices.
Given the small surviving population (especially for certain dates) these coins are typically traded only through high-profile numismatic auctions or private brokered sales. Ownership offers a direct connection to early U.S. monetary history.
Investment Potential
Turban Head Gold Eagles are historically significant and scarce, factors that have supported demand over time. Because of its age, low survival rate, and intrinsic gold content, these coins attract collectors and some investors interested in tangible numismatic assets.
The most desirable examples, particularly those graded AU (About Uncirculated) or better, have realized strong prices in past auctions Problem-free lower-grade examples remain in demand due to rarity and historical importance. Auction records for the finest and rarest varieties and die marriages sometimes exceed seven figures, and the 1795 and 1804 issues rank among the highest-valued early U.S. gold coins.
Unlike modern bullion coins, the Turban Head Eagle combines precious-metal content with significant historical and design interest. As such, its price performance is not merely tied to the gold market but also to collector sentiment and rarity dynamics. The result is a coin that transcends typical investment cycles.