[?] Subscribe Here

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines


Home
Half Cents
Large Cents
Small Cents
Two-Cents
Three-Cents
Nickels
Half-Dimes
Dimes
Twenty-Cents
Quarters
State Quarters
Half-Dollars
Dollars
Presidential Dollars
Gold Dollars
Quarter-Eagles
Three-Dollars
Half-Eagles
Eagles
Double-Eagles
Bullion Coins
Metals Investing
Glossary
Sitemap #1 Copper
Sitemap #2 Silver
Sitemap #3 Gold
Collecting Blog

Indian Head Half Eagles


The Indian Head Half Eagle was designed by Bela Lyon Pratt and was made at the US Mint from 1908 to 1929. These gold coins, along with the quarter eagle denomination, are unique as the only US coins with an incused, or inset, design. This technique was used reduce wear on the coins and discourage counterfeiting. Unfortunately, this particular design is one of the most copied of all US coin series.

The obverse of the coin shows a Native American in a ceremonial headdress, with the word "LIBERTY" above and the date below. A total of
thirteen stars flank either side of the design, signifying the 13 original colonies.

The reverse features an eagle perched atop a bundle of arrows, and clutching an olive branch in its talons. Inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" across the top, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on the left, and "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the right of the eagle. The denomination "FIVE DOLLARS" is at the base of the coin.

Coin Specifications:
Designer: Bela Lyon Pratt
Weight: 8.36 grams
Comp: 90.0% Gold, 10.0% Copper
Diameter: 21.6mm
Edge: Reeded



Indian Head Half Eagle to Half Eagles
Back to Coin Collecting Homepage


footer for indian page