Numismatic

1909-S $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle AU

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The 1909 San Francisco minted five dollar gold coin represents a fascinating departure from traditional minting techniques. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, this half eagle features an incuse design, meaning the details are pressed deep into the coin's surface rather than rising above it. This sunken relief style gives the coin a distinct, flat profile that was highly unusual for its era. The front of the coin displays a detailed profile of a Native American figure adorned in a traditional feathered headdress. This central image is surrounded by thirteen stars, with the word 'LIBERTY' positioned along the top edge and the year 1909 inscribed at the bottom. On the reverse, a proud bald eagle stands amidst the classic national mottos 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' and 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. The issuing country, 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and the face value of 'FIVE DOLLARS' frame the majestic bird. Struck at the San Francisco mint, as indicated by the 'S' mint mark, this coin is composed of 90 percent pure gold, containing exactly 0.2419 troy ounces of the precious metal. With a total mintage of 297,200 pieces, this specific coin survives in Almost Uncirculated condition, preserving the intricate, recessed details of Pratt's revolutionary numismatic artwork.