How to Identify the Turban Head Eagle
The first U.S. $10 gold coin, struck 1795-1804, nicknamed for Liberty's soft turban-like cap; comes with either a small perched eagle or a heraldic shield-eagle reverse.
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What It Is
The Turban Head Eagle is the first $10 gold coin struck by the United States, produced from 1795 to 1804. Production of eagles then stopped entirely and did not resume until 1838. The nickname comes from Liberty's soft cap, which resembles a turban.
Obverse Design
Liberty faces right, her hair flowing out from beneath the soft cap, with LIBERTY inscribed above her head. Stars flank the portrait (the count varies somewhat by year) and the date sits below the bust.
Reverse Design
Two reverse varieties exist. The Small Eagle type (1795-1797) shows a naturalistic eagle perched on a palm branch, with no shield or motto. The Heraldic Eagle type (1797-1804) is modeled on the Great Seal, showing a shield on the eagle's breast, arrows and an olive branch in its talons, clouds and stars above its head, and a ribbon in its beak reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds both varieties.
Size, Weight, Metal & Edge
The coin measures 33mm in diameter and weighs 17.5 grams in .9167 fine gold, with a reeded edge. No numeral denomination appears anywhere on the coin; its large size and heft confirm the $10 value.
Mint Marks
None. All examples were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the only mint operating during this period.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
The Small Eagle reverse closely resembles the perched-eagle reverse used on half eagles and quarter eagles of the same era, so use the coin's larger 33mm diameter and greater weight to confirm it is an eagle rather than a smaller denomination. The Heraldic Eagle reverse carries forward into the later Liberty Head eagles and half eagles beginning in 1838, so the turban-style cap (rather than a coronet) is the clearest sign of this earlier type.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Wear shows first on the highest points of Liberty's hair curls and the cap ribbon, and on the reverse at the eagle's shield lines, wingtips, and cloud detail.
Authenticity Red Flags
This series is a frequent target for counterfeiting and for date alterations that turn a common date into a rarer one. Verify the diameter and weight precisely, and look for design details with the crisp, consistent quality of a genuine period strike rather than the soft, rounded look typical of cast replicas.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Small Eagle and Heraldic Eagle reverse?
The Small Eagle (1795-1797) shows a simple perched eagle with no shield. The Heraldic Eagle (1797-1804) shows a shield-bearing eagle with a motto ribbon in its beak, based on the Great Seal.
Why doesn't the coin state its value?
Early U.S. gold coins did not carry numeral denominations. The $10 value is confirmed by the coin's large 33mm diameter and 17.5-gram weight.
Is 'Turban Head Eagle' the coin's official name?
No, it's a widely used collector nickname. The design is also formally referred to as the Capped Bust Right eagle.
Where was this coin struck?
Exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, since it was the only U.S. mint operating between 1795 and 1804.