Numismatic

1909-D $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle XF

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In 1909, the Denver Mint produced a gold coin that challenged traditional coin design. This five dollar gold piece, or Half Eagle, features an incuse design, meaning the details are sunken below the flat surface of the coin rather than raised above it. This unusual technique gives the coin a distinctively flat profile and a tactile quality unlike most other issues of its era. The obverse features a profile of a Native American figure wearing a traditional feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars along the border. The word "LIBERTY" is inscribed above the portrait, with the 1909 date positioned below. On the reverse, a proud bald eagle stands amidst the classic national mottos, including "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "IN GOD WE TRUST." The legend "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the five dollar denomination encircle the central bird. Struck from 0.2419 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 90 percent, this coin represents a fascinating chapter in American coinage that ran from 1908 to 1929. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, this specific issue bears the "D" mint mark, signifying its origin at the Denver Mint during a production run of 3,423,560 pieces. This survivor has been preserved in Extra Fine condition, showcasing the enduring appeal of this recessed artistic style.