$5 Indian Head Half Eagle

The $5 Indian Head Half Eagle Gold Coin, minted from 1908 to 1929, is a unique and beloved part of American numismatic history. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, this coin features an incuse design, where the images are sunken into the surface of the coin, rather than raised. This distinctive characteristic makes it stand out among other U.S. coin designs.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): Features a Native American chief in full headdress, with the word 'LIBERTY' inscribed above and the date below. Thirteen stars encircle the design, representing the original thirteen colonies.
• Reverse (back): Depicts a standing eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, with the inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM.' The denomination 'FIVE DOLLARS' appears below the eagle.
• Weight: 8.359 grams
• Gold Content: 0.2419 troy ounces of pure gold
• Fineness: 90% gold (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

The $5 Indian Head Half Eagle was struck at various U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark is located on the reverse, to the left of the arrowheads:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): The Philadelphia Mint produced the bulk of these coins, making them more common.
• Denver ('D'): The Denver Mint struck these coins intermittently and their mintages can vary significantly by year.
• San Francisco ('S'): The San Francisco Mint issued these coins sporadically, with some years having very low mintages.
• New Orleans ('O'): Only minted in 1909, making these coins relatively rare.

Common Dates vs. Rare Dates

Philadelphia issues from years like 1909, 1910, and 1911 have higher mintages and are generally more accessible to collectors. These dates are often found in lower grades due to their circulation.

Rare Dates and Varieties

Coins from certain years and mints can be particularly valuable. For instance, the 1909-O is a key date due to its low mintage. Similarly, the 1929 issue, the final year of production, is rare due to the onset of the Great Depression which led to lower mintages and circulation.

Other notable rarities include the 1911-D, which has a low mintage and is highly sought after by collectors.

Various Grades and Values

The value of $5 Indian Head Half Eagles depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value based on grades for common-date coins (Philadelphia and large mintage years).

• Good (G): $500-700
• Fine (F): $600-800
• Extremely Fine (XF): $800-1,200
• About Uncirculated (AU): $1,200-1,800
• Mint State (MS): $1,800-3,000+

Rare mint marks and key dates can command prices well into the thousands or even tens of thousands for coins in higher grades.

The $5 Indian Head Half Eagle is a unique and significant piece of American coinage history. Coins from specific years and mints, like the 1909-O and 1911-D, are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant premiums. Common-date coins are more affordable and can be an attractive option for both collectors and investors. The value of these coins increases significantly with higher grades and more desirable mint marks.

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