GOLD COINAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.
In 1849 the first Double Eagle coinage of the United States was struck ; this single piece was placed in the Cabinet of the Mint at Philadelphia.
The first issue to the public took place in 1850.
Obverse: Bust of liberty; hair looped up in a roll behind; stray curls hang loosely upon the neck ; upon the forehead a tiara, with " LIBERTY " inscribed ; around the edge thirteen stars. Exergue: "1849." Reverse: A very small eagle, its body hidden by the United States shield; from the eagle's beak depends an ornamented scroll, upon which is inscribed " E PLURIBUS UNUM;" in left talon three arrows, in right an olive branch ; above, a circle of thirteen stars, crossed by diverging rays of the sun. Legend: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Exergue: "TWENTY D." Weight: 516 grains. Fineness: 900.
The Double Eagles have been coined in great numbers, year after year, the successive dates appearing in the Exergue on the Obverse. In 1866 a change was made on the Reverse, the oval of stars was changed in form, and the motto : " IN GOD WE TRUST," inscribed within it. In 1877 the Legend : " TWENTY D.," in the Exergue on the Reverse, was changed to " TWENTY DOLLARS." No other changes have been made.
DOUBLE EAGLE OP TWENTY DOLLARS.
20 Patakas of Abyssinia.
30 Kwans of Annara.
24 Piasters of Arabia.
20 Pesos Fuertes of the Argentine Republic.
44 Florins, 15 Kreutzers of Austria.
103 Francs, 62 1/2 Centimes of Belgium.
20 Pesos, 7 Reals of Bolivia.
36 Milreis, 697 Reis of Brazil.
21 Pesos, 93 Centavos of Bogota.
20 Dollars of Canada and British possessions of North America.
2 Gold Condors, 1 Peso, 93 Centavos of Chili.
12 Taels, 4 Mace, 2 Candareens, 3 Cash and 6 Haos of China.
21 Pesos, 80 Centavos of Costa Rica.
21 Pesos, 62 Centavos of Cuba and Porto Rico.
36 Rigsdalers, 6 Marks, 4 Skillings or 74 Kroner, 64 Ores, of Denmark.
21 Pesos, 80 Centavos of Ecuador.
400 Piasters of Egypt.
103 Francs. 621/2 Centimes of France and French possessions in Africa.
4 Pounds, 2 Shillings, 3 Pence Sterling of Great Britain and Australia.
103 Drachmas, 621/2 Leptas of Greece.
84 Marks of the German Empire.
21 Pezos, 80 Centabos of Guatemala.
21 Dollars, gold of Hayti.
21 Pezos, 80 Centavos of Honduras.
45 Rupees, 15 Annas of India.
103 Lires, 621/2 Centissimi of Italy.
20 Yens, 6 Sens of Japan.
20 Dollars, gold of Liberia.
50 Scudis of Malta.
20 Dollars, 4 Centavos of Mexico.
103 Lei, 621/2 Ban Paras of Moldavia, Roumania and Wallachia.
50 Guilders of the Netherlands.
20 Pesos of Paraguay.
18 Milreis, 350 Reis of Portugal.
27 Roubles, 25 Kopecks Silver of Russia.
8 Tomauns, 47 Abassis of Persia.
21 Sols, 80 Centavos of Peru.
251 Piasters, 75 Paras of Servia.
321/2 Silver Tical of Siam.
103 Pesetas, 621/2 Centimes of Spain.
74 Ricksdaler Ricksmynt, 64 Ores of Sweden and Norway.
103 Francs, 621/2 Rappens of Switzerland.
200 Gurush of Tripoli.
169 Piasters, 6 Kharoubs of Tunis.
7 Tillas, 8 Tengas of Turkestan.
465 Piasters, 10 Aspers of Turkey.
2 Gold Condors, 1 Peso, 80 Centavos of U. S. of Colombia.
21 Patacons of Uruguay.
25 Pesos, 74 Centavos of Venezuela.
20 Janurio Dollars of Zanzibar.
In June, 1795, the first coinage of Eagles or Ten Dollar gold pieces occurred ; they were of 916 fineness and 270 grains in weight. Value: $10.50. Obverse : The Goddess of Liberty, facing to the right, wearing
a rather high liberty cap, hair flowing loosely ; around the edge, fifteen six-pointed stars ; five on the right, and ten on the left of the Goddess of Liberty ; Legend : " LIBERTY." Exergue: "1795."
EAGLE OF TEN DOLLARS.
Reverse : Eagle, with expanded wings, holding in ite beak a laurel wreath and grasping a palm branch with both talons; Legend : " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
In 1796 the Eagles had sixteen stars upon the Obverse, eight upon each side of the Goddess of Liberty. It was the original intention to add an additional star for every new State ; but it was concluded to abandon the practice for fear that the stars would become too numerous. Fineness: 916f. Weight: 270 grains. Value: $10.50.
In 1797 a change was made.
EAGLE OF TEN DOLLARS.
The Obverse remained the same as that of 1796; but upon the Reverse the following change was made: Eagle, raised wings, upon its breast the United States shield,, holding in its beak a scroll with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed upon it, grasping in its right talon a bundle of arrows; in the left an olive branch ; above the eagle thirteen stars and clouds. Legend: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Fineness: 916. Weight: 270 grains.
From 1798 to 1804, inclusive, the stars on the Obverse were reduced to thirteen. Fineness: 916|. Weight: 270 grains. Value: $10.50.
From 1805 to 1837, inclusive, no eagles were issued.
June 28th, 1834, an act of Congress was passed, by which the fineness of United States standard gold was reduced from 91 6f to 899.225, and the weight of the eagle from 270 to 258 grains. This was done to favor coinage of gold and prevent its exportation and destruction : United States gold coin, always at a premium on account of its extra fineness, had been immediately exported to Europe and smelted.
EAGLE OF TEN DOLLARS.
The Half Eagles and Quarter Eagles coined under the act of 1834 were called " Benton's Mint Drops," after Senator Beuton, of Missouri, the chief advocate of the new measure. January 18th, 1837, another act of Congress changed the standard of the gold and silver coins of the United States to 900, the fineness established by several nations of Europe.
Upon this change of standard an alteration took place in the device of the eagles, and the first eagles of the new standard and weight were issued on the 26th day of December, 1838, having on the Obverse, Liberty facing left, having her hair tied in a loose knot, a tiara with " LIBERTY " inscribed upon it : thirteen stars around the field and 1838 in Exergue. Reverse : An eagle with a United States shield upon its breast and uplifted wings, left talon three arrows, right, olive branch.
EAGLE OF TEN DOLLARS.
Legend: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Exergue: "TEND." Weight : 258 grains. Fineness : 900. Scarce. No alteration occurred until 1866, when upon the Reverse, over the head of eagle, the motto " IN GOD WE TRUST " was added in a scroll; no other change was made. Weight: 258 grains. Fineness: 900.
EAGLE OF TEN DOLLARS.
The Eagle of Ten Dollars is equal in value to;
22 Florins, 71/2 Kreutzers of Austria.
51 Francs, 81 1/4 Centimes of Belgium.
18 Mil Reis, 3481/2 Reis of Brazil.
51 Francs, 81 1/4 Centimes of France.
42 Marks of the German Empire.
2 £., 1 Shilling, 11/2 Pence of Great Britain.
25 Guilders, 19 Stivers, 2 Cents of Holland.
51 Lires, 81 1/4 Centissimi of Italy.
9 Mil Reis, 175 Reis of Portugal.
13 Roubles, 621/2 Kopecks, Silver of Russia.
51 Pesetas, 81 1/4 Centimes of Spain.
37 Crowns, 32 Ores of Sweden and Norway.
51 Francs, 81 1/4 Rappens of Switzerland.
The first return of gold coins from the United States Mint was on the 31st day of July, 1795, and consisted of 744 Half Eagles, of the value of Five Dollars each. Obverse: A female bust, emblematic of Liberty, facing to the right, wearing a rather high liberty-cap, hair flying loosely about it.
Above is inscribed the word "LIBERTY;" beneath, " 1795." To the left of the effigy, ten stars, and to the right, five, fifteen in all.
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
Reverse: An eagle, with expanded wings, holding a laurel wreath in its beak, and grasping a palm branch with both talons. Legend: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Weight: 135 grains. Fineness: 916. Value: $5.25.
No change was made in the coinage until 1797. Obverse remained the same.
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
The Reverse was changed to an eagle with raised wings, holding in its beak a scroll, inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and grasping in the right talon a bundle of arrows, and in the left an olive branch. Upon its breast is the United States shield. Above the eagle are clouds and thirteen stars. Legend " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Weight ; 135 grains.
Fineness: 916f. Value: $5.25.
No further changes were made until the first issue of the new type, which took place on the 30th of September, 1807. Obverse: A bust of Liberty, facing to the left, wearing a libertycap, upon the band of which is inscribed "LIBERTY." Exergue: " 1807." To the left of effigy are seven stars, to the right, six, thirteen in all.
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
Reverse: An eagle, with its wings expanded, the United States shield upon its breast. In the left talon three arrows, in the right an olive branch.' Abeve the eagle is displayed a scroll, inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Legend: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Exergue : " 5 D." The value of United States gold coins was stamped upon them for the first time in 1807.
Weight: 135 grains. Fineness: 916. Value : $5.25.
In 1813, the Obverse was changed to a head of Liberty, with thirteen stars arranged in an arch above it and around the edge,of the coin. Exergue :" 1813."
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
Reverse : Unchanged. Weight : 135 grains. Fineness : 916|. Value: $5.25.
In 1814 and 1815 (only five or six known of 1815), same devices and legends.
In 1816 and 1817, there was no gold coinage.
In 1818, the old devices and legends were resumed, and continued until 1833, inclusive. Weight: 135 grains. Fineness: 916. Value: $5.25.
Upon the change of standard in 1834, another alteration took place in the type of the gold coinage. Up to June, 1834, they continued the same as before, but the change of standard having taken place in that month, the type was changed, in order to distinguish the new standard from the old, merely by sight.
The Obverse similar to the old coin, except that the libertycap is removed from the head of the Goddess of Liberty, and instead, the hair is confined by a band inscribed with the word "LIBERTY."
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
Reverse : Same as the old coin, except the scroll bearing the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM," is omitted. Weight reduced from 135 grains to 129 grains, and the Fineness from 916f to 899-.225 fine. Value: $5.00.
By Act of Congress, January 18th, 1837, the fineness of United States coin was raised to 900. Near the end of the year 1838, a change of device was made, but none of these pieces were issued until 1839. Obverse : A bust of Liberty, the shoulders undraped. The hair in a roll behind, entwined floating ribbons. Two curls hang loose upon the neck. Upon the brow a tiara, with "LIBERTY" inscribed upon it. Around the edge thirteen stars. Exergue : Date of issue. Eeverse : Same as since 1807, except that " 5 D " in the Exergue
was changed to " FIVE D." Weight : 129 grains. Fineness: 900.
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
From 1839 down to 1866 no alteration was made.
In 1866, upon the Reverse, over the head of the eagle, the motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST," was added. No other change was made. Weight: 129 grains. Fineness: 900.
HALF EAGLE OF FIVE DOLLARS.
The Half Eagle of Five Dollars is equal in value to:
11 Florins, 33/4 Kreutzers of Austria.
25 Francs, 905/8 Centimes of Belgium.
9 Mil Reis, 174 1/4 Reis of Brazil.
25 Francs, 905/8 Centimes of France.
21 Marks of the German Empire.
1 £ , 63/4 Pence of Great Britain.
12 Guilders, 19 Stivers, 33/4 Cents of Holland.
25 Lires, 905/8 Centissimi of Italy.
4 Mil Reis, 5871/2 Reis of Portugal.
6 Roubles, 811/4 Kopecks of Russia.
25 Pesetas, 905/8 Centimes of Spain.
18 Crowns, 661/2 Ores of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
25 Francs, 905/8 Rappens of Switzerland.
Liberty, the hair being confined by a band, upon which is inscribed " LIBERTY."
QUARTER EAGLE OP TWO DOLLARS AND A HALF.
Reverse : Same as the old coin, with the exception that the scroll bearing the motto " E PLURIBUS UNUM"
is omitted. Weight: 64.500 grains. Fineness: 899.225.
In 1839 the Quarter Eagle reappeared, device of 1834. Fineness changed, Act of January 18th, 1837, to 900.
In 1840 a change was made. Obverse: A bust emblematic of Liberty ; the shoulders undraped. The hair is looped in a roll behind, and entwined with beads; a couple of stray curls hang loosely upon the neck. Upon the front of the head a tiara, with "LIBERTY" inscribed upon the same. Arouud the edge thirteen stars. Exergue: Date of the year of issue.
QUARTER EAGLE OF TWO DOLLARS A3TD A HALF.
QUARTER EAGLE OF TWO DOLLARS AND A HALF.
The Quarter Eagle of Two Dollars and a Half is equal to :
5 Florins, 515/8 Kreutzers of Austria.
12 Francs, 955/16 Centimes of Belgium.
4 Mil Reis, 857 Reis of Brazil.
12 Francs, 955/16 Centimes of France.
10 Marks, 50 Pfennige of the German Empire.
10 Shillings, 33/8 Pence of Great Britain.
6 Guilders, 9 Stivers, 43/8 Cents of Holland.
12 Lires, 955/16 Centissimi of Italy.
2 Mil Reis, 193 3/4 Reis of Portugal.
3 Roubles, 405/8 Kopecks, Silver of Russia.
12 Pesetas, 95 5/16 Centimes of Spain.
9 Crowns, 33 J Ores of Sweden and Norway.
12 Francs, 95 5/16 Rappens of Switzerland.
In 1854 a new coin made its appearance; namely, the Three Dollar Gold Piece. Obverse: A graceful Indian head, a feathered crown, inscribed " LIBERTY " upon the band. Legend: " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
THREE DOLLARS.
Reverse: "3 Dollars," and the date of the year of issue.
The whole surrounded by a wreath of the leaves of the tobacco plant and cereals. No change has been made since. Weight: 77.400 grains. Fineness : 900.
The Three Dollar Gold Piece is equal in value to:
5 Florins, 515/8 Kreutzers of Austria.
12 Francs, 955/16 Centimes of Belgium.
4 Mil Reis, 857 Reis of Brazil.
12 Francs, 955/16 Centimes of France.
10 Marks, 50 Pfennige of the German Empire.
10 Shillings, 33/8 Pence of Great Britain.
6 Guilders, 9 Stivers, 43/8 Cents of Holland.
12 Lires, 955/16 Centissimi of Italy.
2 Mil Reis, 193 3/4 Reis of Portugal.
3 Roubles, 405/8 Kopecks, Silver of Russia.
12 Pesetas, 95 5/16 Centimes of Spain.
9 Crowns, 33 J Ores of Sweden and Norway.
12 Francs, 95 5/16 Rappens of Switzerland.
Liberty, the hair being confined by a band, upon which is inscribed " LIBERTY."
QUARTER EAGLE OP TWO DOLLARS AND A HALF.
Reverse : Same as the old coin, Mith the exception that the scroll bearing the motto " E PLURIBUS UNUM" is omitted. Weight : 64.500 grains. Fineness : 899.225.
In 1839 the Quarter Eagle reappeared, device of 1834. Fineness changed, Act of January 18th, 1837, to 900.
In 1840 a change was made. Obverse: A bust emblematic of Liberty; the shoulders undraped. The hair is looped in a roll behind, and entwined with beads; a couple of stray curls hang loosely upon the neck. Upon the front of the head a tiara, with " LIBERTY " inscribed upon the same. Around the edge thirteen stars. Exergue : Date of the year of issue.
QUARTER EAGLE OF TWO DOLLARS AND A HALF.
Reverse remained unchanged. Weight : 64.500 grains.Fineness: 900.
QUARTER EAGLE OF TWO DOLLARS AND A HALF.
The Quarter Eagle of Two Dollars and a Half is equal to :
5 Florins, 515/8 Kreutzers of Austria.
12 Francs, 955/16 Centimes of Belgium.
4 Mil Reis, 857 Reis of Brazil.
12 Francs, 955/16 Centimes of France.
10 Marks, 50 Pfennige of the German Empire.
10 Shillings, 33/8 Pence of Great Britain.
6 Guilders, 9 Stivers, 43/8 Cents of Holland.
12 Lires, 955/16 Centissimi of Italy.
2 Mil Reis, 193 3/4 Reis of Portugal.
3 Roubles, 405/8 Kopecks, Silver of Russia.
12 Pesetas, 95 5/16 Centimes of Spain.
9 Crowns, 33 J Ores of Sweden and Norway.
12 Francs, 95 5/16 Rappens of Switzerland.
In 1854 a new coin made its appearance; namely, the Three Dollar Gold Piece. Obverse: A graceful Indian head, a feathered crown, inscribed "LIBERTY" upon the band. Legend: " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
THREE DOLLARS.
Reverse: "3 Dollars," and the date of the year of issue.
The whole surrounded by a wreath of the leaves of the tobacco plant and cereals. No change has been made since. Weight : 77.400 grains. Fineness : 900.
The Three Dollar Gold Piece is equal in value to:
6 Florins, 62 1/4 Kreutzers of Austria.
15 Francs, 54 39/100 Centimes of Belgium.
5 Mil Reis, 504 55/100 Reis of Brazil.
15 Francs, 54 39/100 Centimes of France.
12 Marks, 61 Pfennige of the German Empire.
12 Shillings, 4 Pence of Great Britain.
7 Guilders, 10 Stivers of Holland.
15 Francs, 54 39/100 Ceutissimi of Italy.
918 3/4 Reis of Portugal.
4 Roubles, 8 5/8 Kopecks, Silver of Russia.
15 Pesetas, 54 39/100 Centimes of Spain.
11 Crowns, 20 Ores of Sweden and Norway.
15 Francs, 54 39/100 Rappens of Switzerland.
In 1849 the One Dollar Gold Piece was added to the coin age.
The Obverse : A female head emblematic of Liberty, hair loosely tied in a knot, on the forehead a tiara, with "LIBERTY" inscribed upon it; around it, in a circle, thirteen stars.
ONE DOLLAR.
Reverse : " 1 DOLLAR," and the date of the year of issue, surrounded by two branches of laurel, crossed and tied. Legend: " UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Weight : 25.800 grains. Fineness: 900.
This dollar, after a few years of trial, was found too small in diameter, and many complaints were made against it on that account.
In 1854, therefore, an alteration was made in the size of the dollar gold piece; larger in diameter, it is of a proportionate decrease in thickness. The Obverse bears a beautiful Indian female head, crowned with feathers ; upon the band encircling the head and feathers the word " LIBERTY " is inscribed. Legend:
" UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
ONE DOLLAR.
Reverse : " 1 DOLLAR," and the date of the year of issue ; the whole surrounded by a wreath of cereals. No change has since been made.
The Dollar is equal in value to :
1 Patack of Abyssinia.
1 Kwan, 5 Mas of Annam.
1 Piaster, 16 Caveers of Arabia.
1 Peso Fuerte of the Argentine Republic.
2 Florins, 20 3/4 Kreutzers of Austria.
5 Francs, 18 13/100 Centimes of Belgium.
1 Peso, 3 1/2 Centavos of Bolivia.
1 Mil Reis, 834 85/100 Reis of Brazil.
1 Peso, 9 65/100 Centavos of Bogota.
1 Dollar of Canada, and the other British Provinces of North America.
1 Peso, 9 65/100 Centavos of Chili.
6 Mace, 2 Candareens, 1 Cash, 1 Hao, 8 Tse of China.
1 Peso, 8 93/100 Centavos of Costa Rica.
1 Peso, 8 1/10 Centavos (gold) of Cuba and Porto Rico.
1 Rigsdaler, 5 Marks, 2 Shillings of Denmark.
1 Peso, 8 93/100 Centavos of Equador.
20 Piasters of Egypt.
5 Francs, 1813/100 Centimes of France and French Possessions in Africa.
4 Shillings, 1 1/3 Penny Sterling of Great Britain and Australia.
4 Marks, 20 Pfennige of the German Empire.
5 Drachmas, 1813/100 Leptas of Greece.
1 Peso, 8 93/100 Centavos of Guatemala.
1 Dollar, 5 Centimes (gold) of Hayti.
1 Pezo, 8 93/100 Centavos of Honduras.
2 Rupees, 4 Annas, 9 Pice of India.
5 Lires, 1813/100 Centissimi of Italy.
1 Yen, 3/10 of a Sen of Japan.
1 Dollar, gold, of Liberia.
2 Scudi, 6 Tari of Malta.
1 Dollar, A of a Centavo of Mexico.
5 Lei, 18 13/100 Ban Para of Moldavia, Roumania, and Wallachia.
2 Guilders, 10 Stivers of the Netherlands.
1 Peso of Paraguay.
22 Abassi, 1 Shatree of Persia.
1 Sol, 8 93/100 Ceutavos of Peru.
967 43/100 Reis of Portugal.
1 Rouble, 361/4 Kopecks, silver, of Russia.
1 Peso, 8 93/100 Centavos of San Salvador.
12 Piasters, 47 1/2 Para of Serbia.
1 5/8 Silver Ticals of Siam.
5 Pesetas, 1813/100 Centimes of Spain.
3 Ricksdaler Ricksmynt, 73 1/3 Ores of Sweden and Norway.
5 Francs, 18 13/100 Rappens of Switzerland.
10 Gurush of Tripoli.
8 Piasters of Tunis.
7 Tengas, 33 Pool of Turkestan.
23 Piasters, 251/2 Aspers of Turkey.
1 Patacon, 51/10 Centavos of Uruguay.
1 Peso, 287/10 Centajos of Venezuela.
1 Janurio Dollar of Zanzibar.
The constantly changing prices at which coins are sold at public auction and private sales, render it a work of extreme difficulty to give the market value of each piece ; we can, however, approximate the values sufficiently to present the buying prices of our country's coinage, and with this view we have had prepared the following and other tables of prices, believing that the reader will find it a valuable guide for the preservation of the rare and fine coins found among the mediums of exchange that pass from hand to hand. To Bankers, Brokers, Storekeepers, and other branches of the business communities of this country as well as to the numismatists, the following schedule of American pieces and prices will have a special interest.
(Double Eagles, Assay pieces, etc., command a small premium.)