1908 “No Motto” $10 Indian Head Glass Enameled Coin Pendant

This is not just your average $10 Indian head gold coin. Firstly, This coin was beautifully translucent enameled sometime in the early 1900’s. Enameling of gold coins was popular in the Victorian era but had died out completely by the 1920’s, especially after the 1920 Gold And Silver (Export Control) Act, which prohibited the deliberate mutilation of coins or for their use as anything other than currency. Nowadays when you hear the term “enamel” when it comes to jewelry it’s 9/10 times just paint. This old technique of enameling is made from colored glass. The glass is then ground to a fine powder, laid onto the coin, and then fired in a kiln at high heat to make it melt and fuse. Secondly, this is the “No Motto” version which In 1908, the “No Motto” variety saw 33,500 coins struck at Philadelphia and 210,000 struck at Denver. The Motto variety saw 341,370 coins struck at the main mint and 836,500 in Denver and 59,850 in San Francisco. The motto in which it refers to is the “In God We Trust” motto which was added halfway through 1908 after backlash from the public. The coin itself weighs 16.72g and is crafted out of .900 finesse (21k) gold which ends up being a half OZ of pure .999 gold. The bezel and bail are crafted out of solid 14k gold weighing 7.7g. It features a large bail for this pendant to hang from either a smaller or large chunky necklace. This is a very rare piece of art,history, and jewelry all combined into one. According to the NGC Price Guide, as of September 2023, a Indian Head Gold Coin from 1908 “No Motto” in circulated condition is worth between $1255 and $1900. However, on the open market 1908 NO MOTTO Gold Eagles in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $135000. This is referring to just the coin itself. Let alone one with antique glass enameling and set into its own bezel.

*Necklace shown in pictures not included*