Numismatic

1909 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-63 NGC

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In 1909, the Philadelphia Mint produced a run of 627,060 gold half eagles, representing a fascinating era in American numismatic design. This five dollar denomination is struck in 90 percent pure gold, containing 0.2419 troy ounces of the precious metal. What makes this issue particularly captivating is its incuse design, where the details are sunken below the flat surface of the coin rather than raised above it, a rare technique in modern coinage. The obverse features a realistic portrait of a Native American chieftain wearing a traditional feathered headdress, with the year 1909 inscribed below. On the reverse, a proud eagle stands amidst the classic national mottos, including the phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST". This specific coin has been certified in Mint State 63 (MS-63), preserving the intricate details of this innovative artistic experiment.