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The Certified $10 Gold Liberty 1893 MS64 NGC is a near-gem example of one of America’s most enduring and elegant gold coin series. Graded Mint State 64 by the respected Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), this coin represents the upper echelon of surviving Liberty Head eagles from the late 19th century. It boasts exceptional eye appeal, strong strike, and luminous luster, placing it just shy of gem-quality status. The 1893 issue, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, is particularly attractive to collectors for its quality, availability in higher grades, and its role in the historic economic backdrop of the early 1890s, just prior to the Panic of 1893.
The $10 Liberty Head eagle, also known as the Coronet Head, was designed by Christian Gobrecht and first issued in 1838. It remained in production until 1907, making it one of the longest-running designs in U.S. gold coinage. The obverse features a classical portrait of Liberty facing left, her hair tied in a bun with curls cascading down her neck. A coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY” rests on her head, and thirteen stars encircle the design, representing the original colonies. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, holding arrows and an olive branch, and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” appearing on a ribbon above the eagle’s head. These elements reflect both the neoclassical aesthetics of the period and the ideals of strength and unity during Reconstruction and economic growth.
The obverse of the 1893 Liberty Head eagle is sharply defined, especially in a high-grade MS64 example. Liberty’s facial features are crisp, and the finer details of her hair, coronet, and stars are fully realized. The date “1893” is boldly struck and evenly centered. This NGC-certified example possesses clean fields with few noticeable abrasions, limited to tiny ticks and hairlines only visible under magnification. The luster is brilliant and unbroken across both obverse and reverse surfaces, a hallmark of the MS64 grade. While MS65 examples are elusive and significantly more expensive, MS64 coins like this one offer near-gem appeal at a more accessible price point.
The reverse complements the obverse in quality, showing strong feather detail in the eagle’s wings, a well-defined shield, and full rendering of the talons, arrows, and olive branch. The scroll bearing the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is sharply engraved. The legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and denomination “TEN D.” are boldly impressed. As this is a Philadelphia Mint issue, it carries no mintmark, distinguishing it from branch mint issues such as those from San Francisco or Carson City. The overall surface condition of the reverse is equally pristine, with excellent eye appeal and minimal contact marks, making this coin an outstanding representative of its type.
The Philadelphia Mint struck 1,840,300 Liberty Head eagles in 1893. While this is a substantial mintage figure, the survival rate in higher Mint State grades is relatively low due to heavy circulation and melting of gold coins in later years. Many examples were used in banking and commercial transactions or were exported for international trade. Because of the economic uncertainty that followed the Panic of 1893, a significant portion of gold coinage from this year did not survive in uncirculated condition. Thus, Mint State 64 coins are relatively scarce, and few exist with the combination of strong strike and outstanding preservation seen in this certified example.
The $10 Liberty Head eagle was struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, with a gross weight of 16.718 grams and a net gold content of 0.48375 troy ounces. The coin’s 27 mm diameter gives it a substantial and satisfying presence, and the copper content adds durability while also imparting a characteristic orange or reddish hue that often appears on well-preserved examples. This particular coin’s surfaces exhibit a warm golden glow, further enhanced by its clean preservation and the original mint finish still visible under direct light. Collectors prize coins that have not been cleaned or dipped, and this example’s natural patina contributes to its authenticity and eye appeal.
The MS64 grade assigned by NGC indicates a high-end coin with full mint luster and only a few minor contact marks in non-focal areas. These may include a light tick on Liberty’s cheek or in the fields but do not detract from the coin’s overall beauty. At this level, the coin is often very close to MS65 quality, and many collectors consider such coins sleepers in terms of value. The NGC certification provides additional assurance of authenticity and grade, and it protects the coin in a secure, tamper-evident holder that maintains its condition and provenance.
The 1893 issue is also of interest for its place in U.S. monetary history. That year, the nation entered a severe financial depression—the Panic of 1893—triggered by railroad failures, bank collapses, and a run on the Treasury’s gold reserves. Although this coin was struck prior to the worst effects of the downturn, it was among the circulating coinage that played a role in stabilizing commerce and banking at a time when public trust in paper currency was eroding. As a gold coin issued on the eve of a national crisis, it represents a tangible link to a turbulent but formative period in American economic development.
Christian Gobrecht’s design remains a favorite among collectors for its classical elegance and enduring symbolism. The Liberty Head motif reflected the ideals of liberty, strength, and unity at a time when the nation was rebuilding after the Civil War and expanding its global influence. Coins like the 1893 eagle served not only as mediums of exchange but also as symbols of national confidence. The craftsmanship of the Philadelphia Mint during this era was of a very high standard, and this coin exemplifies the exceptional quality typical of that facility’s output during the late 19th century.
The Certified $10 Gold Liberty 1893 MS64 NGC is an exceptional piece for collectors of pre-1933 U.S. gold coinage. It offers the visual charm and technical excellence of a gem-quality coin, with sharp design details, strong luster, and minimal imperfections. As a product of a pivotal year in American economic history and a proud example of classical coinage art, it holds a special place in any numismatic collection. With its solid gold content, superior grade, and NGC certification, it appeals equally to gold investors and collectors of historical U.S. coinage looking for quality and long-term value.