Designed by: Bela Lyon Pratt
Issue Dates: 1908-1929
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 21.6 mm
Weight: 8.36 grams (129.01 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 14,178,066
Bela Lyon Pratt's innovative Indian Head half eagle follows the format of the related quarter eagle and features all of the design recessed or incuse in the coin's surface, with the field, normally the lowest part on a coin, being the highest part. As is the case with quarter eagles, mintmarks are raised and in relief. The obverse depicts an Indian chief facing left, LIBERTY above, six stars to the left and seven to the right, and the date below. The reverse shows an eagle perched on a branch or a log with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, E PLURIBUS UNUM to the left, IN GOD WE TRUST to the right, and the denomination expressed as FIVE DOLLARS below.
Mintage was accomplished at Philadelphia from 1908 through 1915 and again in 1929. Denver struck half eagles of this type from 1909 through 1911 and again in 1914. San Francisco half eagles were made from 1908 through 1916. At New Orleans the Indian quarter eagle was struck in one year only, 1909, the last year of operation of that minting facility.
The availability of Indian Head half eagles to the type set collector is similar to that of related quarter eagles. Examples in grades from Very Fine to AU are easily obtained. Uncirculated pieces are scarce, and superb Uncirculated coins are seldom seen. The rarity of upper echelon grades is explained by a characteristic of the coin's surface. The field, being the highest part, quickly acquired marks and abrasions, even while stored in mint bags before being released into circulation.
