- USA Coin Book
- Gold $10 Eagle
- Coronet Head
- 1839-P : Small Letters - Type of 1840
1839 Coronet Head Gold $10 Eagle : Small Letters - Type of 1840
New Style Liberty Head - No Motto
Mintage: 12,447
Metal Composition: 90% Gold - 10% Copper
Diameter: 27 mm
Mass / Weight: 16.72 grams
What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):![1839 Small Letters - Type of 1840 - Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle - Ten Dollars](https://www.usacoinbook.com/us-coins/600/new-style-coronet-liberty-head-gold-eagle-no-motto.jpg)
There were two major varieties of the 1839 Liberty Head $10 Gold Eagle. This variety used the newer style liberty head on the obverse - known as the Type of 1840 - and also smaller letters on the reverse of the coin (as depicted above).
The 1839/8 (Type of 1838) is easily distinguishable from the 1839 (Type of 1840) design. The old style liberty head is tilted downwards making the date appear more to the left of the liberty. The old style liberty features a narrower and sharper curve at the bottom-right portion of the liberty bust and also the ear is covered a bit more and in a different style. The new style liberty (Type of 1840) is aligned with the date and the bust is tilted upward more. The bottom-right curve on the liberty bust is shorter and wider - with less hair covering the ear and in a different style. This is the design used on all liberty head $10 eagle coins in 1840 and subsequent years. The difference between the Type of 1838 vs Type of 1840 is depicted below (Source of example images is courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries):
![1839 Type of 1838 vs Type of 1840 Obverse - $10 Liberty Head Gold Eagle - Difference and Comparison](https://www.usacoinbook.com/us-coins/600/1839-old-type-of-1838-vs-new-type-of-1840-liberty-head-gold-eagle.jpg)
In addition: The older "Type of 1838" features slightly larger and taller letters on the reverse of the coin - while the newer "Type of 1840" coin features smaller letters. The difference between the Large Letters vs Small Letters is depicted below in the example comparison image (Source of example image is courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries):
![1839 Large Letters vs Small Letters Reverse - $10 Liberty Head Gold Eagle - Difference and Comparison](https://www.usacoinbook.com/us-coins/600/1839-small-letters-vs-large-letters-liberty-head-gold-eagle.jpg)
Lastly: The 1839 "Type of 1838" features a "9 Over 8" overdate resulting from an 1839 date struck over the older 1838 date. Subtle parts of the outer loops on the right side of the underlying "8" can be seen just to the right of the "9". Depicted below is an example closeup image of the 1839/8 overdate:
Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition
Good (G-4) |
Very Good (VG-8) |
Fine (F-12) |
Very Fine (VF-20) |
Extremely Fine (EF-40) |
About Uncirculated (AU-50) |
Uncirculated (MS-60) |
Uncirculated (MS-63) |
Proof (PR-63) |
- | - | - | $5,002 | $14,024 | $17,587 | $74,310 | $144,662 | - |
USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1839 Coronet Head Gold $10 Eagle (Small Letters - Type of 1840 Variety) is Worth $5,002 in Average Condition and can be Worth $74,310 to $144,662 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.
MELT VALUE: $1216.81
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