1933 Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle

The 1933 Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle is a significant coin, although it doesn't exist in the form of official mint issues for collectors. Here's why:

Design: The Indian Head Eagle series was designed by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The obverse features a proud Native American Chief in profile wearing a traditional headdress, encircled by 13 stars representing the original colonies.

The reverse depicts a majestic eagle standing on a bundle of arrows with an olive branch, symbolizing America's desire for peace but readiness for war.

Historical Context: The 1933 Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle was the last year of issue for this iconic series. However, none were officially released for circulation due to the Gold Recall Act of 1933, which required all gold coins and certificates to be turned in to the government.

Numismatic Rarity: While some 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagles were minted, they were never officially released and were subsequently melted down. However, a few examples were illegally kept by Mint personnel or acquired by collectors, making them exceedingly rare and valuable.

Legal Issues: The ownership and sale of 1933 Indian Head Gold Eagles are subject to legal scrutiny due to their contentious status as unauthorized government issues. In 2002, the United States Mint declared that any 1933 double eagles in private hands were stolen government property, leading to legal battles over ownership rights.

Famous Example: The most famous specimen of the 1933 Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle is the King Farouk coin, which was illegally smuggled out of the United States in the 1940s.

Overall, while the 1933 Indian Head Gold $10 Eagle holds immense historical and numismatic significance, it remains a highly elusive and controversial coin due to its limited mintage and legal status.

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