1868 Eagle - 1868 $10 NGC AU55. This lovely Type 2, 1868 Eagle has subdued mint luster remaining within protected areas of both sides. This 1868 Eagle is well struck with full details seen in the centers of the stars, the eagles neck, and the area to the lower left of the shield. The grade of this 1868 Eagle is confirmed by the lines of separation at the top of the coronet and the top of Libertys hair as well as the hair over the eye. For the grade, the surfaces of this 1868 Eagle are original, clean, and free of distracting abrasions that are worthy of individual mention. The vertical line on the right side of the reverse is on the holder not the coin.

In 1804 President Thomas Jefferson stopped the mintage of eagles. Because its melt value exceeded its monetary value, there was excessive melting of theses coins. Over thirty years later, the standard weight and fineness for gold coins was changed. Eagles went from 270 grains to 258 and fineness from 91.67% to 90% gold. In 1838 Mint Director Patterson told Engraver Gobrecht to prepare new dies for the eagle. The Type 2 Liberty Head Eagle was created when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to a banner designed by James B. Longacre above the eagle in 1866. The change was made in response to pressure organized by the Reverend M.R. Watkinson. The motto remained until 1907, when President Theodore Roosevelt told Augustus Saint-Gaudens to omit it on the newly designed eagle.

Both before and during the Civil War almost a dozen Protestant denominations pressured Congress to add references to God to the Constitution and other government documents. Reverend Mark Richards Watkinson was the first to write to Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase to request that Gods name be added to our coinage. His suggestion for a motto was God, Liberty, Law. Chase ordered Mint Director James Pollock to prepare a suitable motto. Pollocks suggestions included Our Trust Is In God, Our God And Our Country, and God Our Trust. Then Chase decided on In God We Trust to be added to most of the nations coinage. This motto was a subtle reminder that the North considered itself on the side of God with regard to the issue of slavery. A new law was required to allow the motto to be added since previous acts of Congress specified the mottos and devices that were permitted on coins. The new motto was placed on all coins that were deemed large enough to accommodate it.

The 1868 Eagle is rare in Mint State. Only 2 have been certified by NGC and PCGS. In its population report, NGC shows 28 1868 Eagles in AU55 condition with 30 better. At PCGS there are 18 1868 Eagles with 4 better, and these numbers do not account for crossovers or resubmissions.