At noon ET today, Feb. 8, the United States Mint introduces a small proof coin for collectors, the 2018-W $10 American Liberty minted in 1/10-ounce .9999 fine gold.
If the coin’s imagery looks familiar, that’s because it first appeared on last year’s larger 2017-W $100 American Liberty High Relief 1 oz. Gold Coin. It debuted in April 2017 for $1,640, scoring first-day sales of 14,285 coins. The new smaller $10 coin, priced at $215*, is offered as a more affordable option to last year’s coin.
Designed by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, coin obverses depict Liberty as an African-American woman wearing a crown of stars. The crown pays homage to the bronze Statue of Freedom topping the dome of the U.S. Capitol. Inscribed around the allegorical figure are "LIBERTY," "2018," and "IN GOD WE TRUST."
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The design marks the first in a series that will feature Liberty in a variety of contemporary forms to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States. The next Liberty design is expected in 2019.
Reverses (tails side) of the 24-karat gold coins show a powerful eagle in flight design that is surrounded by inscriptions of "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "1/10 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD," and "10 DOLLARS." Chris Costello designed the eagle and Michael Gaudioso sculpted it.
American Liberty 1/10 Oz. Gold Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $10 |
| Finish: | Proof |
| Composition: | 99.99% Gold |
| Diameter: | 0.650 inch (16.50 mm) |
| Weight: | 0.1000 troy oz. (3.110 grams) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | West Point – W |
Ordering and Pricing
Order the collectible by visiting the U.S. Mint’s webpage for gold coins, located here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Its mintage is limited to 135,000 pieces. There is a further restriction of 5 coins per household.
*Pricing of gold coins can be adjusted weekly depending on market conditions. (See the U.S. Mint’s gold coin pricing schedule.) Current gold coin prices are based on LBMA gold that is within $1,300.00 and $1,349.99 an ounce.
Sales Update (Feb. 9)
First-day sales of the $10 American Liberty reached 9,842 coins, U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White told CoinNews in an email Friday, Feb. 9.
Got mine this morning. Coin is a beauty, the packaging is well below acceptable for a gold coin. The Bufs pkging was great, the dimes was great, this doesnt even measure up to the eagle pkging. Even tho the mint probly farms this out they could have done way better than they did
Charlie 1952: I agree on the packaging / presentation quality issue. I purchased one too earlier this year as well. 😕
Got my coin today, what a beautiful design. When I get my graded proof 70 ultra cameo in the mail I’m going to give the proof coin to my pop for his collection. Looking forward to the next design. When it comes to the packaging, it’s at par with my Royal Canadian Mint for a coin of this caliber so I’m ok with it. Only thing I would have liked is knowing the exact mintage number. I am actually surprised that the US mint does not do this. Not only does it inform the consumer of when it was struck… Read more »
Mouse, It IS a beauty, isn’t it? I don’t now nor have I ever dealt with graded coins so I will remain blissfully content with my boxed Mint version. 🙂 That being said, it’s nice that you’re engaging in a literal “pass it forward” with your current mint edition; good for you! As to numbering individual coin containers and/or accompanying literature, from my decades in the manufacturing, distribution and logistics fields/businesses I can attest to the fact that any such enumerating and/or cataloging can be both a tedious and expensive process that might possibly or even perhaps likely require another… Read more »
I love reading all this back and forth. Thank you Mouse for helping me with the “First Day of Issue” question earlier. Myself, I’m not thrilled that a design can be changed just to meet the demand for ethnic varieties. Just create a new coin. The eagle was created as it was. Like our Native American series-a fav of mine. I love the hipe behind it, hopefully my nieces and nephews will be financially rewarded. The fact that I’m giving them collections helps:). I didn’t even know the coin was released being I’m very new to Mint sold coins. Just… Read more »
Hi Sherry, you have very great questions and insight into your start down the road on the numismatic and stacking train – great train to be on. When it comes to American coinage, you are very correct, this coin is not the first to have showcased an African American image. From my understanding, this the original 2017 one ounce coin was the first African American image to grace a Liberty coin. No likeness / but a true and beautiful image. I do not know of any beautiful African woman who has straight and flowing hair. The value on the coins… Read more »
I purchased mine late, surprised the mint even still had any. But to a even bigger surprise when I received mine. It has a strikethrough mint error on the face. Has anyone heard of a mint error for this beautiful American Liberty 1/10 ounce gold coin?
Cot three 2018 liberty head coins proof coins all in original packaging
An I ounce and 2. tenth-ounce coins what could I get for them being black heritage month