Lot 1950
1913-S. NGC graded MS-62. Frosty and untoned. Only 66,000 minted. Pleasingly bright and lustrous, both sides are naturally colored in reddish-gold hues. A weak impression was sometimes left by the rebound of the (possibly dilapidated) dies that struck this year’s coinage, but we are delighted to say that this specimen is well struck on all devices, very well indeed. Soft satin luster throughout that is free from marks. Were it not for two minor tics around Liberty’s eye, the entire coin would be devoid of noticeable contact signs. With an original mintage so low, the 1913-S is one of the rarest dates of the Indian Head Eagle series. It is scarce in any grade, but particularly important and desirable in Mint quality like the present offering. Pop 27; 19 finer (PCGS # 8874) .
Background: Augustus Saint-Gaudens' familiarly named "Indian" Head Eagles are more properly his creative talent having to produce a design suited to the political realities caused by Presidential interference. For the 1907-33 eagle design, Augustus Saint-Gaudens (in consultation with President Theodore Roosevelt) decided to use not a standing figure, which the artist preferred, but a Liberty head, the President feeling that the heroic effect of any standing figure, as chosen for the Double Eagle, might be lost in smaller diameter. The Saint-Gaudens 1907 No Motto (and later With Motto) designs were revised by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber from the earlier Rolled Edge and Wire Edge pieces after the artist's death in Aug. 1907. Barber was forced to do this to improve quality and die life in order for the Mint’s high-speed production coining presses to operate properly. It is Barber’s final interpretation that we see on this lustrous 1913-S $10 gold rarity.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 11,000.
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| Realized $15,863 |
