During the year that 1890 Liberty Head $10 gold pieces were being struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the western states of Wyoming and Idaho joined the Union. All major cities and towns of the country were connected by railroad in 1890. But railroad safety was a major issue, as about 10,000 Americans were killed in various railroad accidents in 1890! Much safer were bicycles, which were extremely popular thanks to the invention of pneumatic tires and brakes.