1874 $10 Liberty Head Eagle PCGS MS63

After ten years of small mintages, there were 53,160 eagles struck for circulation in 1874, more than for the years at the Philadelphia Mint from 1862 to 1873 combined.

The 1874 is common in circulated grades and it is only relatively scarce in the lower Uncirculated grades. However, it becomes a rarity in MS63 and is very rare in higher grades. A sole MS65+ is the finest example graded at PCGS. PCGS has graded 3 as MS63 with 7 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $20,000.00 in MS63.

The second Philadelphia Mint, where this rare piece was struck. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The commencement of the Civil War in 1861 saw gold eagles and other coins 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 (including 1874)—plus the $10 eagle had been replaced as the primary coin of international trade by the $20 double eagle.

The total of gold eagles produced in any one given year was small. It was not until 1879 that the combined mintage of all U.S. mints exceeded half a million pieces. As discussed above, just 53,160 gold eagles were produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1874.