1860 $10 Liberty Head Eagle PCGS MS60

Here is a very rare piece—in a desirable mint state grade—for the specialist in Liberty head eagles. The commencement of the Civil War in 1861 saw gold eagles disappear from circulation, as they were hoarded due to the uncertainty of the final result of the War. Overall, the hoarding of gold coins lasted well in the 1870s—plus the $10 eagle had been replaced as the primary coin of international trade by the $20 double eagle.

Coins such as this 1860 $10 Eagle were hidden in hoards and made their way to banks in Europe where they were melted down. That is why this piece is such a rarity today. Out of the original mintage of 15,055 just 136 of this issue were graded by PCGS. Of those, only 2 carry the grade of MS60, with 13 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $15,000 in MS60.

The second Philadelphia Mint, where this rare piece was struck. Photo: Library of Congress.