The Indian Head eagle was a ten-dollar gold piece, or
eagle, struck by the
United States Mint from 1907 until 1933. The
obverse and the reverse, designed by the sculptor
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, were originally commissioned for use on other denominations. As sculpted by Saint-Gaudens, it was in too high
relief for the Mint to strike readily, and the necessary modifications took months. The omission of the motto "
In God We Trust" on the new coins caused public outrage, and prompted
Congress to pass a bill mandating the motto's inclusion. Later editions of the coin included the motto.