One of the most famous coin designs in American history comes from the Indian Gold Half Eagle Coin. The first design ever struck incuse on American coinage, the Indian Head emblem was the last design to feature on the historic $5 Half Eagle denomination before the 1933 end to gold coining in the United States. Today, 1916-S $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle Coins in certified condition are available online at JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Available to you in PCGS protective slabs!
- 9th release of $5 Indian Gold Half Eagles!
- Struck by the San Francisco Mint!
- Available as part of the Fairmont Collection!
- Contains .242 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- The face value of $5 (USD) is fully backed by the US government.
- Graded Mint State 60 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
- On the obverse is an indigenous figure with tribal headdress.
- The reverse depicts an American bald eagle.
- S mint mark from the San Francisco Mint.
The 1916 release of $5 Indian Gold Half Eagles is notable for two major reasons. First and foremost, the San Francisco Mint was the only branch mint to strike the coins in 1916, with production this year hitting the lowest in the program’s history at just 240,000 coins. Additionally, the 1916 issue was the penultimate release. No more coins were struck between 1917 and 1928, with one final release issued in 1929.
All of these 1916-S $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle Coins are available to purchase in Mint State 60 condition. Coins with this grade feature diminished mint luster with large detracting contact marks and the potential for damage spots. However, there are no signs of circulation wear on the coins.
On the obverse of 1916-S Indian Gold Half Eagles, you will find the left-profile bust of an indigenous figure. He is shown with a full, tribal headdress on his head and has a stoic look on his face. This design was created in 1908 by Bela Lyon Pratt.
The reverse side of the 1915-S Gold Half Eagle Coin comes with a depiction of the American bald eagle. This image shows the eagle at rest on a sheaf of arrows that is wrapped by an olive branch of peace.
The Fairmont Collection is the name given to a hoard of American gold coins historically used in international commerce. These coins, covering $5, $10, and $20 Eagle denominations, sat in overseas banks for more than a century before eventually being repatriated to the United States starting in the late 2010s.
Please contact JM Bullion if you have any questions. Our team is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.