Numismatic

1911 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-65 PCGS CAC

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In 1911, the Philadelphia Mint produced this five dollar gold coin, commonly known as the Indian Head Half Eagle. With a mintage of 915,000 pieces, this issue does not carry a mint mark, which is characteristic of coins struck at the Philadelphia facility during this era. The coin is composed of 90 percent gold, containing 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal. What makes this coin particularly captivating is its revolutionary incuse design, where the details are sunken below the flat surface of the coin rather than raised above it. The obverse displays a realistic portrait of a Native American chieftain in a full headdress, surrounded by the word LIBERTY, the year 1911, and the designer's initials, BLP. The reverse features a proud standing eagle alongside the traditional mottos, E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST. This specific coin has been certified in Mint State 65 (MS-65) condition. This high grade highlights the preservation of its unusual recessed details and original luster, offering a remarkable window into early twentieth-century American coinage.