Pre-1933 US Gold Coins: Melt Value and Premiums
Every pre-1933 US gold coin is 90% gold. Here's how much gold each one holds, how to price it at melt and why most sell above that floor.
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Melt value of one $10 Indian Head Eagle
$1,969.89
A $10 Indian Head Eagle (1907–1933) weighs 16.718 grams and is made of 90% gold, 10% copper. That works out to 0.48375 troy ounces of pure gold, so at today’s spot price the metal in one coin is worth about $1,969.89.
| Years | 1907–1933 |
|---|---|
| Face value | $10.00 |
| Weight | 16.718 g (0.5375 troy oz) |
| Composition | 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Gold content | 15.046 g (0.48375 troy oz) · worth $1,969.86 |
| Copper content | 1.672 g · worth $0.0234 |
| Quantity | Face value | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10.00 | $1,969.89 |
| 5 | $50.00 | $9,849.44 |
| 10 | $100.00 | $19,698.88 |
| 20 | $200.00 | $39,397.76 |
| 100 | $1,000.00 | $196,988.78 |
| 1,000 | $10,000.00 | $1,969,887.84 |
| Date | Melt value then | Change to today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month ago (Oct 8, 2026) | $2,010.96 | ▼ -2.04% |
| 1 year ago (Nov 8, 2025) | $1,939.74 | ▲ +1.55% |
| 5 years ago (Nov 8, 2021) | $884.30 | ▲ +122.76% |
| 10 years ago (Nov 8, 2016) | $531.12 | ▲ +270.89% |
Based on stored daily closing prices.
Melt value is the floor: the value of the metal alone. Dealers who buy coins for their metal usually pay a little below melt. Coins with a rare date, mint mark or error, or in uncirculated condition, can sell for far more than melt to collectors – check a current price guide or have the coin graded before selling anything that looks scarce.
Have several coins? Use the coin melt value calculator.
| Coin | Years | Metal content | Melt value | × face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850–1907 | 0.9675 oz gold | $3,939.78 | 197.0× | |
| 1907–1933 | 0.9675 oz gold | $3,939.78 | 197.0× | |
| 1838–1907 | 0.4837 oz gold | $1,969.89 | 197.0× | |
| 1839–1908 | 0.2419 oz gold | $984.94 | 197.0× | |
| 1908–1929 | 0.2419 oz gold | $984.94 | 197.0× | |
| 1854–1889 | 0.1451 oz gold | $590.92 | 197.0× | |
| 1840–1907 | 0.1210 oz gold | $492.53 | 197.0× | |
| 1908–1929 | 0.1210 oz gold | $492.53 | 197.0× | |
| 1849–1889 | 0.0484 oz gold | $197.01 | 197.0× |
Melt value = metal content × today’s spot price. It is not what a dealer pays (usually less) or a collector’s price (often more).
Every pre-1933 US gold coin is 90% gold. Here's how much gold each one holds, how to price it at melt and why most sell above that floor.
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Melt values are estimates based on spot prices and official coin specifications. Dealers usually pay less than melt; rare coins can be worth far more to collectors.