1839 $10 Liberty Head Eagle NGC AU-53 Small Letters, Head '40

Discover the 1839 Small Letters $10 Liberty Head Gold Eagle, an NGC-graded AU-53 treasure that shines as a rare and undervalued gem, its refined Liberty portrait and smaller reverse lettering distinguishing it from the more common Large Letters variety, with a scant mintage of 12,447—half that of its 1839 counterpart. 1839 was the second year of issue for the Liberty Eagles series. A true “sleeper” in the numismatic world, this coin, boasting a pleasing medium gold hue, significant luster in recessed areas, and outstanding detail despite light wear on Liberty’s hair, is poised for value appreciation, as PCGS CoinFacts estimates only 50–60 survivors in all grades, with most in VF to EF condition and only two certified in Mint State (MS-64 and MS-62). Cited by experts like Breen as “prohibitively rare” in AU and Akers as “very rare in any condition,” this coin, with its lightly abraded surfaces and intricate obverse die cracks, stands among the finest available, offering collectors a unique opportunity to secure a high-end AU specimen—a near-equal to the Smithsonian’s AU-55 example—at a price that belies its potential to become a cornerstone of your collection as its rarity gains recognition in the market.

• NGC published price is $17,500.
• NGC Population is 5 coins with 13 finer (AU58 finest).