U.S. Gold Coins

Discovering United States Gold Coins

Whether you buy them at a coin shop, or find them using a metal detector, the information here may help to authenticate your U.S. Gold Coins.

   Liberty Gold Dollar Type I  

Type I Liberty $1, Weight 1.672 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 13 mm Diameter

 Indian Gold Dollar Type II

Type II Indian $1, Weight 1.672 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 15 mm Diameter

 Indian Gold Dollar Type III  

Type III Indian $1 Weight 1.672 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 15 mm Diameter

Liberty & Indian $1 Gold 

 

These $1 coins minted between 1849 and 1889 were designed by James B. Longacre. They contain .04837 oz. of gold. Smaller than a dime, these coins were lost from pockets and purses because they would slip through small holes in either.

 

 Liberty Gold $2.50 “Quarter Eagle”

Liberty $2.50, Weight 4.18 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 18 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

Indian Gold $2.50 “Quarter Eagle” 

Indian $2.50, Weight 4.18 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 18 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

These $2.50 coins minted between 1840 and 1929 were designed by Christian Gobrecht (Liberty), and Bela Lyon Pratt (Indian) The $2.50 Indian Head gold coins were only struck for 13 years (1908-1915, and 1925-1929). They both contain .12094 oz. of gold.

 $3 ‘Indian Princess’ 

$3 Indian Princess, Weight 5.015 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 20.5 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

The $3 “Indian Princess” gold coin containing .14512 oz. gold, was designed by James B. Longacre. Not a popular coin or denomination, it was “kept”, rather than circulated by the public.

$4 “Stella” Gold 

$4 Stella, EXTREMELY RARE

The rare $4 “Stella”, so named for the star on the reverse, had two varieties: The flowing hair type, designed by Charles E. Barber, and the coiled hair type by George T. Morgan, designer of the famous “silver dollar” of 1879-1921. Only [700+] Flowing Hair $4 Stellas were minted in 1879, and just 8 “Coiled Hair” coins from 1880 are known to exist !   The coins were minted in 93% gold, 7% copper/silver. There were also patterns minted in gold, aluminum, copper and white metal. 

 $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle 

$5 Liberty, Weight 8.359 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 21.6 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle 

$5 Indian, Weight 8.359 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 21.6 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

  The $5 Liberty Half Eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht, was struck at all seven mints, the “No Motto” variety (1839-1865) being the rarest.The $5 Indian Half Eagle was designed by Bela Lyon Pratt with its unique “incused” or recessed design similar to his 2½ dollar coin. Both $5 coins contain .24187 oz. gold. 

  

$10 Liberty Gold Eagle 

$10 Liberty, Weight 16.718 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 27 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

$10 Indian Gold Eagle 

$10 Indian, Weight 16.718 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 27 mm Diameter 46 Raised Stars (1907-1911), 48 Raised Stars (1912-1933) on Edge

  The $10 Liberty Eagle design was by Christian Gobrecht, the Indian designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Both coins contain .48375 oz. of gold. The edge of the Indian coin was distinguished by 46 raised stars representing the States of the Union, with 48 stars after 1911.

 

$20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle  

$20 Liberty, Weight 33.436 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 34 mm Diameter Reeded Edge

$20 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle

$20 Saint-Gaudens, Weight 33.436 grams .900 Gold, .100 Copper, 34 mm Diameter E*PLURIBUS*UNUM on Edge

The $20 Liberty Double Eagle design was by James B. Longacre.   Many numismatists (coin collectors) consider the $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle America’s most beautiful coin obverse (front side).   It was designed in 1907 by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.  The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was struck in two varieties, High Relief with a “wire-edge” and Roman Numeral Date (rare), and in a Flat Rim variety. Both coins contain .9675 oz. of gold.  There are many other varieties of United States gold coins, too numerous to mention here.  The $20 Liberty Double Eagle design was by James B. Longacre.   Many numismatists (coin collectors) consider the $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle America’s most beautiful coin obverse (front side).   It was designed in 1907 by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.  The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was struck in two varieties, High Relief with a “wire-edge” and Roman Numeral Date (rare), and in a Flat Rim variety. Both coins contain .9675 oz. of gold.  There are many other United States gold coins, too numerous to mention here.  

Advice For Detectorists and Argonauts

This is just a sample of some of the more likely encountered treasures one might find while metal detecting or prospecting in areas where gold was mined or exchanged in the past.  If an area has been unimproved for many years, and has historically been known to be a place where people bought refreshments, played, gambled, reclined on grass, or watched athletic or equestian events, then you can find coins there.  If an area is being bulldozed after many years of being in a native, unimproved state, it is even more likely that the modern detectorist using currently available high-tech detector equipment will stand better chances of finding treasures that eluded searchers in the past.  A developed site that is being rebuilt is just as good a place to hunt on weekends when the construction crews aren’t there. 

Always ASK land owners or developers for permission to search on their land for “relics”! 

Always offer to share a percentage (specific) of any valuable items you might find with the property owner, as well as reassuring them that you take full responsibility for any injuries that you might personally sustain.  If you are a safe hunter, this courtesy can be a very lucrative concession. 

Old Ghost Towns are within 8 hours driving range from almost every city in the U.S.  The surrounding miles hold treasure tales and forgotten caches of booty just begging to be detected.  Old maps can usually be found at the Public Library or in your local Bureau of Land Management, Chamber of Commerce or sometimes in local Real Estate Offices. Public Lands are still available for responsible use by the  public, only as long as you care to become personally active in defendeing this right.  Practice this right responsibly and you might find a “Mint” in treasure someday.