Famous Types of Gold Coins

Have you ever come across a situation when while cleaning your house you found something really valuable that you never knew was there? During such moments you feel as if you have just hit the jackpot. In September 2010, a Philadelphia-based woman struck a fortune by discovering cases of old coins, including famous types of gold coins and silver coins, stashed away in the garage of her home. She put the coins up on auction and garnered $88,000. The auction saw immense live bidding as the collection included some famous US gold coins. An 1899 $10 gold coin that realized $660 and a 1907 $2.50 gold coin that fetched $633 were the top selling specimens.

Famous Types of Gold Coins of 1907

The following are some of the famous rare gold coins of 1907:

$20 Double Eagles: This category includes the following famous coins:

Liberty Double Eagle (1849-1907) – The production of these coins (in three types) was prompted by the Congress as a result of the California gold rush. Popular as King of America coins, Liberty Double Eagle bears a confident eagle with its wings spread wide on one side and a a classical Greek version of Lady Liberty on the obverse side.

Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (1907-1933) – Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, known for creating the 1905 inauguration medallion, the majestic Double Eagle $20 gold coin is thought to be one of the most attractive rare US gold coins. One side of the coin features Lady Liberty holding a torch while the other side shows an American eagle in flight. Most of these coins were melted into bars in 1933 as ordered by the Congress.

$10 Eagles: In this category the following coins were minted in 1907:

Liberty Head Eagle (1838-1907): Among the most circulated coins in American history is the $10 Liberty, which is popular for its size and denomination. The heads side of this coin inherited its design from the famous 1816 Coronet-type Large Cent and the tails side features a dauntless eagle considered to be one of the most appealing eagles to be borne by any US gold coin.

Liberty Head Eagle coins were hoarded during the Civil War. During that period, to buy one $10 Liberty, one was required to pay $25 in paper ‘greenbacks’.

Indian Head Eagle (1907-1933): Another masterpiece by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the $10 Indian gold piece shows Miss Liberty bearing an Indian war bonnet embellished with star-stripped feathers and the other side features a perched eagle. Even after being a highly controversial coin, the Indian Head remains one of the most striking in American coinage. The Indian touch at the obverse side of the coins created quite a stir. However, with time, people started getting fascinated by its bold new design. The Indian Eagle Head coins that were minted from 1908 to 1911 featured 46 stars around their edges marking the 46 states of the Union. In 1912, two more stars were added to recognize the two new states.

The coin’s design also bore the motto “In God We Trust”, which was removed by the order of President Roosevelt. He cited that some people may use these coins for illicit purposes, such as gambling. The motto was, however, reinstated in 1908 by an act of the Congress.

$2.50 Quarter Eagles: From this category the following coin was minted in 1907:
Liberty Head Quarter Eagle (1840-1907): This coin was designed after the Coronet-type Large Cent (1816-1857). The obverse features the bust of Miss Liberty whereas an American bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows graces the other side of the coin.

This coin held on to one design for 33 years, making it the only coin to have remained unchanged for such a long time in the history of American gold coinage.