$5 Indian Gold Half Eagle (CU) - Random Date

Buy $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle (CU) - Random Date

Bela Lyon Pratt’s design for the $5 Indian Head Half Eagle Gold Coin is one of the only examples of incuse engraving in the history of commercial U.S. coinage. Beginning in 1908, this design replaced Christian Gobrecht’s “Coronet” Liberty Head on the Half Eagle and Quarter Eagle. Both were last minted in 1929. Pratt’s decision to use the incuse design, where details are sunk below the field, was controversial at the time and has not again been attempted since.

These $5 Indian Head gold coins were unpopular with their contemporary observers, so most were heavily circulated rather than hoarded, leaving most surviving examples very worn. These coins have not been certified by a grading service. They have been sorted "by eye" by numismatists at Gainesville Coins and are considered generally to be in CU, "commercial uncirculated" condition. Because they were minted before the Gold Confiscation Act of 1933, these Indian Head Half Eagles were still made with 0.900 fine gold. Their actual gold weight (AGW) totals 0.2418 troy ounces.

The obverse features a detailed left-facing profile of an Indian in full headdress. The word "LIBERTY" appears above the Indian Head, splitting thirteen stars (representing the original thirteen U.S. colonies) around the coin's rim. The engraver's monogram, "BLP," can be found beneath the bust, along with the date. The reverse is graced by a bald eagle standing on a stack of arrows that are wrapped in an olive branch. Flanking the eagle are the mottos “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “IN GOD WE TRUST." The reverse legend, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," is inscribed along the top rim, with "FIVE DOLLARS" along the bottom rim.

Dates are random and based on available inventory. Purchase your own from Gainesville Coins.