The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 18, May 2, 2004, Article 7

WHY IT'S CALLED AN EAGLE

  Regarding our earlier question, RW Julian writes: "The first
  reference I can find to the use of "Eagle" for the ten dollar
  piece is in a law of August 8, 1786:

  "That there shall be two gold coins: One containing two
  hundred and forty-six grains, and two hundred and sixty-eight
  thousandths of a grain of fine gold, equal to ten dollars, to be
  stamped with the impression of the American eagle, and to be
  called an Eagle: One containing one hundred and twenty-three
  grains, and one hundred and thirty-four thousandths of a grain
  of fine gold, equal to five dollars, to be stamped in like manner,
  and to be called a Half-Eagle."

  Perhaps someone has an earlier citation?"

  Bob Neale writes: "For anyone interested, it does indeed appear
  that Thomas Jefferson was first to propose the term "eagle", as
  reported by D. Klinger. This is even better documented in an
  article by George Fuld in Numismatic News, June 22, 1999.
  Therein, Fuld presents TJ's Congressional Resolution of August
   8, 1786.  This document talks about standards for US gold
  and silver coinage and comes to this paragraph: "That there
  shall be two gold coins one...equal to ten dollars, and to be
  stamped with the impression of the American Eagle - & to be
  called an eagle." And the next paragraph: "One containing...
  fine gold equal to five dollar to be stamped in like manner and
  to be called a half eagle."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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