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Inventory:
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- Product ID: 56521
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| Metal/Chg | Bid | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Updated: 07/09/25 01:44:02 | ||
Gold
-4.64
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$3,296.37 | $3,309.56 |
The Certified $10 Gold Liberty 1843-O VG10 PCGS is a significant and historical piece from the early era of United States branch mint gold coinage. Struck at the New Orleans Mint, this coin represents both a tangible link to antebellum America and an important chapter in U.S. numismatic history. The 1843-O issue is part of the long-running Liberty Head Eagle series, designed by Christian Gobrecht and issued from 1838 through 1907. As a certified example in VG10 (Very Good) condition by PCGS, this coin retains its historical character and considerable appeal despite moderate circulation wear, and it stands as a collectible example of early Southern-minted gold coinage.
The Liberty Head Eagle was introduced in 1838 as part of a sweeping redesign of American gold coinage. Its creator, Christian Gobrecht, was the third Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint and is also credited with designing the famed Seated Liberty series. The Liberty Head motif reflected neoclassical ideals of the time, featuring a youthful and elegant representation of Lady Liberty in profile. The new design replaced the earlier Capped Bust and was part of a broader effort to standardize and modernize the nation’s coinage under the Coinage Act of 1834, which also adjusted the gold content to better reflect market values and reduce the melting of gold coins for bullion.
The obverse of the 1843-O $10 Liberty Gold Eagle presents Lady Liberty facing left, adorned with a coronet inscribed with the word “LIBERTY.” Her hair is pulled back into a bun, and soft curls cascade over the nape of her neck. Encircling the portrait are thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the date “1843” centered below. Despite the coin’s VG10 grade, the outline of Liberty and the date remain clear, even as the finer details of her hair and the coronet may show wear from circulation.
The reverse features a heraldic eagle, wings outstretched, clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, symbolizing peace and preparedness for war. A shield covers the eagle’s breast, and the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” surrounds the upper periphery. The denomination “TEN D.” is placed below the eagle. The “O” mintmark—denoting the New Orleans Mint—is positioned beneath the eagle, above the denomination. Even in VG10 condition, these key elements remain legible, offering collectors a chance to appreciate the coin’s full design and historical context.
Struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, the coin contains 0.48375 troy ounces of pure gold and weighs 16.718 grams. Measuring 27 millimeters in diameter, it was produced using traditional screw press methods, which at the time led to variations in strike quality. The New Orleans Mint, opened in 1838, primarily served the Southern United States and Gulf Coast region, and its gold coinage is widely collected today due to both its relative scarcity and its historical significance as a branch mint operating in a slave-holding state prior to the Civil War.
The 1843-O $10 Liberty Eagle had a reported mintage of 175,162 coins, making it a relatively accessible issue for early Liberty Head gold, but high-grade survivors are scarce due to heavy circulation and the melting of gold coins over time. Many examples from the New Orleans Mint were struck with less pressure than their Philadelphia counterparts, and combined with the lower survival rate, this contributes to their desirability among collectors today. Examples in Very Good condition like this one offer an affordable entry point into the challenging and historically rich field of early branch mint gold.
The PCGS grade of VG10 indicates a coin that has seen moderate to heavy wear but retains clear date and design elements. On a VG10 coin, Liberty’s portrait will be worn flat but distinct, with the outline of her coronet and facial profile still visible. On the reverse, the eagle’s outline remains identifiable, and the shield and olive branch may show significant wear but will be discernible. The “O” mintmark is often faint on New Orleans gold coins due to light striking but should be present and legible in this certified example. PCGS certification ensures authenticity and helps preserve the coin’s value and collectibility.
Coins in VG10 condition, while lacking the visual sharpness of higher-grade pieces, have a strong historical and aesthetic presence. This particular coin would have circulated in an era of stagecoaches, antebellum commerce, and the growing tensions that would soon erupt into the American Civil War. It may have passed through the hands of merchants, farmers, or bankers in the Southern United States, playing a role in the regional economy of the time. Such context imbues the coin with a sense of living history that few other collectibles can offer.
Collectors of early gold, Liberty Head coinage, or New Orleans Mint issues often prize coins like this 1843-O $10 Liberty for their scarcity, age, and connection to a formative period in American history. While not a rare date by mintage, surviving examples—especially problem-free and certified by PCGS—are far from common, and they fill an essential niche in type or date-and-mintmark sets. Additionally, this coin offers the allure of gold content with the added bonus of being a certified 19th-century artifact.
In summary, the Certified $10 Gold Liberty 1843-O VG10 PCGS is an outstanding representative of America’s early branch mint gold coinage. With its strong historical ties to the New Orleans Mint and its place in the broader Liberty Head Eagle series, this coin offers collectors an opportunity to own a piece of U.S. monetary history that has withstood the passage of time. While well-worn, its character and integrity remain intact, making it a treasured piece for those who value numismatic heritage, early U.S. gold, and certified historical coinage.