Various Types of American Eagle 1/10 Oz. Gold Coins

Capped Bust (Facing Right)

• The design by Robert Scott featuring the head and shoulders of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle with wings spread on the reverse was used from 1796 to 1808. A shield covers the eagle's chest. This first quarter eagle had a diameter of 20mm and a weight of 4.37g. Gold comprised 91.7 percent of the coin compared to 8.3 percent silver.

Capped Bust (Facing Left)

• In this design by John Reich that was used only in 1808, Lady Liberty faces to the left and the word "LIBERTY" appears in her headdress. The spread-winged eagle on the reverse clutches arrows and olive branches, a theme of war and peace common to American currency over the years. The standards of this coin were the same as the previous issue.

Capped Head

• After years out of production, the quarter eagle returned in 1821 with a slightly different design. Only Lady Liberty's head can be seen on the obverse, but the shape of her head and the eagle on the reverse are the same as with the previous design. The diameter of the quarter eagle was reduced to 18.5mm in 1829. The capped head design was used until 1834.

Classic Head

• The size of the eagle and Lady Liberty were reduced for this 1834 to 1839 issue that was designed by William Kneass, conforming to other gold coins of the day. Initially, this coin was comprised of 89.9 percent gold and 10.1 percent silver, but this was tweaked slightly to 90 percent gold and 10 percent silver in 1837. The U.S. Mint reduced the diameter of the quarter eagle again, this time to 18.2mm. This coin weight 4.18g.

Liberty Head

• This mint used this design by Christian Gobrecht on several gold coin issues during the period between 1840 and 1907. It differs only slightly from previous quarter eagles, with a new Lady Liberty facing to the left and another spread-winged eagles on the reverse. The weight and gold content are the same as the last issue, but the diameter is slightly less at 18mm.

Indian Head

• This Bela Lyon Pratt design is vastly different from most American coins in that the features are incuse, or sunk below the coin's surface. The front features a Native American in profile wearing a headdress. The eagle on the reverse is more sedated -- peacefully perched on a limb. The Indian head quarter eagle, which was minted from 1909 to 1929, features the same standards as the last issue.