The $10 Liberty gold coin, .48375 oz. 90% gold, or Coronet, was minted after a 34-year hiatus of other $10 gold pieces. The Coronet design by Christian Gobrecht would later appear on the $2.50 Liberty gold coin and one year prior to its use on the $5 Liberty gold coin.
The obverse (front) features Lady Liberty, wearing her hair in a tight bun with a few loose curls falling down her neck. On her head is a coronet inscribed with the word 'Liberty.' Surrounding her are 13 stars and the date of issue. The first $10 Liberty gold coins minted in 1838 and early 1839 have a slightly different design than those that were minted from the remainder of 1839 through 1907. The most prominent difference is the shape of the neck truncation.
The reverse (back) features a proud bald eagle with wings spread, standing among olive branches. The eagle clinches three arrows in his talons, and has a shield featuring stars and stripes upon his chest. The words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', the denomination, and the Mint Mark surround the eagle. The $10 Liberty gold coins that were minted from 1838 and 1866 do not feature the Motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. In 1866 the reverse was modified by adding the Motto on a ribbon above the eagle.
The Philadelphia Mint produced these coins continuously throughout their circulation, and the San Francisco Mint's production of the $10 Liberty was almost continuous. In 1870, the Carson City Mint began production. New Orleans coins were produced from 1879 through 1883 and again several years later. Coins were also struck at the newly opened Denver Mint from 1906 until the introduction of the $10 Indian Head Gold Coin, which ended the $10 Liberty's production.