1908-S $10 Indian Head Eagle PCGS MS63

Here’s a rare, glimmering treasure from the San Francisco Mint. The first $10 Indian eagles produced at the San Francisco Mint carry the date 1908, and they were struck after Congress required the return of the motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ to the denomination. A small mintage of 59,850 pieces was completed at the Western mint.

“The mintage for this issue is quite low,” writes Jeff Garrett, “but surprisingly several really incredible examples survive. The date is quite popular and is one of the more difficult coins to locate in mint state for the average collector.” PCGS has graded 47 examples as MS63 with 89 finer. Collectors Universe gives this rare issue a price of $15,000.00 in MS63.

The San Francisco Mint, where this offering from AUCM was produced in 1908. Photo: treasury.gov.

Gold specialist David Akers writes, “The 1908-S is always very sharply struck. Like the half eagle and double eagle of the same date and mint, the 1908-S eagle comes with two very different, distinct finishes. One is frosty and very finely granular, and on these specimens the lustre is very good ….. The other finish (much more rare) is extremely satiny, and with these examples the lustre is always exceptionally radiant. Color varies on this issue from light orange and greenish gold to coppery gold. In top grade, there is no better looking coin in the series than the 1908-S.”