These $1 coins minted between 1849 and 1889 were designed by James B. Longacre. They contain .04837 oz. of gold.
Liberty Gold $2.50 "Quarter Eagle"
Indian Gold $2.50 "Quarter Eagle"
These $2.50 coins minted between 1840 and 1929 were designed by Christian Gobrecht (Liberty), and Bela Lyon Pratt (Indian) The $2.50 Indian Head gold coins were only struck for 13 years (1908-1915, and 1925-1929). They both contain .12094 oz. of gold.
$3 'Indian Princess'.
$4 "Stella".
The $3 "Indian Princess" gold coin containing .14512 oz. gold, was designed by James B. Longacre. Not a popular coin or denomination, it was "kept", rather than circulated by the public.
The rare $4 "Stella", so named for the star on the reverse, had two varieties: The flowing hair type, designed by Charles E. Barber, and the coiled hair type by George T. Morgan, designer of the famous "silver dollar" of 1879-1921. Only [425] Flowing Hair $4 Stellas were minted in 1879, and just 10 "Coiled Hair" coins in 1880 ! The coins were minted in 93% gold, 7% copper/silver. There were also patterns minted in gold, aluminum, copper and white metal.
$5 Liberty Half Eagle.
$5 Indian Half Eagle.
The $5 Liberty Half Eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht, was struck at all seven mints, the "No Motto" variety (1839-1865) being the rarest.
The $5 Indian Half Eagle was designed by Bela Lyon Pratt with its unique "incused" or recessed design similar to his
2 � dollar coin. Both $5 coins contain .24187 oz. gold.
$10 Liberty Eagle.
$10 Indian Eagle.
The $10 Liberty Eagle design was by Christian Gobrecht, the Indian designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Both coins contain .48375 oz. of gold. The edge of the Indian coin was distinguished by 46 raised stars representing the States of the Union, with 48 stars after 1911.
$20 Liberty Double Eagle.
$20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle.
The $20 Liberty Double Eagle design on the left was by James B. Longacre. On the right is what many numismatists (coin collectors) consider America's most beautiful coin obverse (front side). It was designed in 1907 by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
The Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle was struck in two varieties, High Relief with a "wire-edge" and Roman Numeral Date (rare), and in a Flat Rim variety. Both coins contain .9675 oz. of gold.
There are many other gold coins, too numerous to mention here, so this is just a sample of some of the more likely encountered treasures one might find while metal detecting or prospecting in areas where gold was mined or exchanged in the past...
If an area has been unimproved for many years, and has historically been known to be a place where people played, gambled, reclined on grass, or watched athletic or equestian events, then you will find coins there.
If an area is being bulldozed after many years of being in a native, unimproved state, it is even more likely that the modern detectorist using currently available high-tech detector equipment will stand better chances of finding treasures eluding searchers in the past.
Please don't forget to ask the owner or developer for permission to search on their land for "relics".
Always offer to share a percentage (specific) of any valuable items you might find with the property owner, as well as reassuring them that you take full responsibility for any injuries that you might personally sustain. If you are a safe hunter, this courtesy can be a very lucrative concession.
Old Ghost Towns are within 8 hours driving range from almost every city in the U.S. The surrounding miles hold treasure tales and forgotten caches of booty just begging to be detected.
Old maps can usually be found at the Public Library or in your local Bureau of Land Management, Chamber of Commerce or sometimes in local Real Estate Offices. Public Lands are still available for use by a responsible public, only as long as you care to become personally active in defending this right.
Practice this right responsibly and you may find a fortune in treasure someday.
For additional information about prospecting and gold, silver, and platinum, please visit my blog
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