Purchasing $5 Indian Gold Half Eagles from JM Bullion

From the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, the US Mint was constantly adding new gold coin designs in a number of sizes and denominations. The $5 Indian Head Gold Eagles were produced for barely more than 20 years starting in 1908 and ending in 1929, but they can still be found today. These coins feature a stunning design that is surprisingly detailed, especially for a coin that is so old. Despite them having gold a content that is just shy of the US Mint’s current standards, $5 Indian Head Gold Half Eagles are sought after by investors just as frequently as they are by collectors.

Indian Design

The design of the $5 Indian Head Gold Eagle is credited to artist Bela Lyon Pratt. The design of the coin was actually made to match the Quarter Eagle coin that was introduced around the same time. The coin’s obverse depicts a Native American tribal chief equipped with full headdress. The image of the chief is incredibly detailed and is drastically different than the image of Lady Liberty that was present on the obverse of previous Half Eagle coin editions. Around the outer edges of the coin’s obverse are 13 stars, a year of mintage marking, and an inscription which reads “Liberty.”

The coin’s reverse features an American eagle perched atop a fasces entwined by a single olive branch. On all sides of the eagle are inscriptions which read “E Pluribus Unum,” “United States of America,” “In God We Trust,” and “Five Dollars.” As opposed to previous editions of the Half Eagle, the inscription on either side of the coin are stamped in incuse and not raised off the face of the coin.

Coin History

The Half Eagle is a gold coin that was produced by the US Mint beginning in the late 18th century up until the early to mid-20th century. These coins were produced continuously for more than a century but the coin’s design was constantly changing. The Indian Head design was introduced in 1908 after the $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle and was the last design ever featured on the Half Eagle coin. The design itself was entirely different than any previous editions in that it featured a Native American on the obverse and not the profile image of Lady Liberty. The coin’s reverse design was also different, but, like every other edition, featured an American eagle. The $5 Indian Head Gold Eagle was produced at the New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, and Denver US Mint facilities.

Indian Half Eagles Today

Now, nearly a century after these coins were pulled from the US Mint’s production lines, the $5 Indian Head Gold Eagle coin is becoming increasingly difficult to find and even more difficult to find in great condition. Add this to the fact that it is not only valued as a collector’s item but also as a great way to invest in gold, and you have yourself a gold coin that grows rarer with each passing day. When these gold coins are in stock, they tend to sell out quickly and because they are so rare there is no saying when they will be restocked. For all these reasons and many more it is important that you do not overlook your opportunity to get your hands on a rare piece of American history.

All orders totaling over $499 are shipped free of charge and fully insured. Coins certified by either the PCGS or NGC will ship in their certified plastic slabs while all other coins will be shipped protected by a vinyl coin flip.