Liberty Head $10 Gold with Motto Set, Circulation Strikes (1866-1907)

The motto "In God We Trust" was added to the reverse of the Liberty Eagle in 1866 and production continued unchanged for the next 41 years. While eliminating the earlier "No Motto" dates helps somewhat, the late "Motto" dates have more than their share of challenges. At the top of the list sits the 1875-P, which has the distinction of having the lowest original mintage of any regular-issue U.S. coin struck for circulation. With a mere 100 pieces stuck, fewer than 10 survive today, and all are circulated. No mint state pieces are known. Another great rarity is the 1870-CC, which like the 1875, is unknown in full mint state. After these two rarities, things get a little bit easier. The remaining "CC" dates in the 1870s are very tough, as are the 1883-O and 1876-P. These coins did not really see substantial mintages until 1879 and around a dozen issues are not known in mint state. This set is quite a challenge.