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The Certified $10 Gold Indian 1908-S AU55 NGC is a significant and highly desirable coin, representing both the first year of issue and the first San Francisco Mint production for the Indian Head eagle series. Graded About Uncirculated 55 by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company), this coin displays minimal wear on the highest points of the design while retaining much of its original mint luster and strong strike detail. The 1908-S $10 Indian is widely recognized as a better-date coin in the series, particularly in higher circulated grades like AU55, making this example a standout acquisition for collectors of early 20th-century U.S. gold.
The obverse features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ bold and artistic design of Lady Liberty, wearing a Native American-style war bonnet inscribed with the word “LIBERTY.” The portrait is framed by thirteen six-pointed stars representing the original colonies, and the date “1908” is boldly struck at the bottom. As the inaugural year of the Indian Head eagle series, the 1908-S has the added appeal of being a first-year issue. In AU55 condition, this example retains sharp details in Liberty’s headdress, facial features, and stars, with only light wear visible on the high points such as the cheek and feather tips. Much of the original mint luster remains, particularly around the stars and protected areas of the fields.
The reverse of the coin features a powerful eagle standing confidently on a bundle of arrows wrapped with an olive branch, symbolizing both strength and peace. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TEN DOLLARS” encircle the design, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” to the left and “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the right—present on this issue despite its omission on the earliest 1907 versions. The “S” mintmark is located to the left of the arrows, identifying the San Francisco Mint. In AU55 grade, the eagle’s plumage, beak, and legs remain crisply defined, with just a touch of rub on the highest points. The reverse displays a soft, satiny glow and a pleasing golden hue.
The 1908-S $10 Indian is struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, weighs 16.72 grams, and has a diameter of 27 millimeters, with a gold content of 0.48375 troy ounces. This denomination, known as the eagle, had been a standard U.S. gold coin size since the late 18th century, and under the artistic reform led by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Indian Head design brought a distinctly American and sculptural aesthetic to the denomination. Unlike the incuse Indian Head designs used for the $2.5 and $5 coins, the $10 eagle maintains a raised relief, allowing for a more traditional rendering of Saint-Gaudens’ bold imagery.
The total mintage of the 1908-S $10 Indian was 59,850 coins, one of the lowest in the entire series. Most were released into circulation and saw heavy use, and relatively few were preserved in high condition. As a result, surviving examples in About Uncirculated condition are considered quite scarce. This issue is particularly difficult to find in truly choice AU or Mint State grades, and when located, they command strong interest among collectors. NGC population data confirms the rarity of AU55 specimens compared to more common Philadelphia issues, and this makes the 1908-S a semi-key date in the Indian eagle series.
NGC’s AU55 grade indicates a coin that has experienced very light circulation, with high points showing minor smoothing from wear but with nearly all design detail still intact. Luster remains strong in the protected areas, and only light contact marks or abrasions may be present, none of which detract significantly from the coin’s visual integrity. For many collectors, AU55 represents an excellent balance between cost and quality, offering much of the eye appeal of Mint State examples at a more accessible price point, especially for low-mintage coins like the 1908-S.
Visually, 1908-S $10 Indians in AU55 typically display a soft yellow-gold or slightly reddish hue, reflective of their copper alloy. The coin’s fields often retain an attractive satiny sheen, while the recessed areas around the devices preserve much of the original mint finish. Despite minor high-point rub, the coin maintains strong character and depth, with the dramatic design and large size giving it impressive presence both in hand and under magnification. The San Francisco Mint’s reputation for high-quality strikes is evident in the coin’s clean, well-defined features and sturdy edge reeding.
Historically, the 1908-S Indian Head eagle marks an important moment in U.S. numismatic and artistic history. It was the first year the redesigned eagles bearing Saint-Gaudens’ influence were issued with “IN GOD WE TRUST” restored to the reverse after initial public protest over its omission in 1907. As the first $10 gold coin struck at the San Francisco Mint under the new design, the 1908-S symbolizes the West’s growing economic importance and the Mint’s central role in transforming California gold into nationally circulating coinage. The limited production, combined with the artistic and political significance of the design, gives the 1908-S a special place in the story of American coinage.
Today, the Certified $10 Gold Indian 1908-S AU55 NGC is a top choice for collectors of pre-1933 U.S. gold, Indian Head series specialists, and numismatists who value conditionally rare issues. With a low mintage, beautiful classic design, and PCGS or NGC certification ensuring authenticity and grade integrity, this coin is not only a historically rich artifact but also a solid store of value. Whether included in a date-mint set, type collection, or investment-grade portfolio, the 1908-S AU55 is a piece of numismatic art with enduring desirability and an unmistakable link to the golden era of American coinage.