Numismatic

1911-S $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-62 NGC

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The 1911-S five dollar gold piece represents a fascinating departure from traditional coin design. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this half eagle features an innovative incuse design, meaning the details are recessed below the flat surface of the coin rather than raised above it. This distinctive approach gives the coin a remarkably flat profile and a unique tactile quality. On the obverse, a detailed portrait of a Native American chief in a full headdress faces left. The word LIBERTY is inscribed along the upper curve, accompanied by the year 1911 and the designer's initials, BLP, nestled above the date. The coin is composed of 90 percent gold, containing just under a quarter ounce of the precious metal, specifically 0.2419 troy ounces. This particular specimen has survived the decades in exceptional condition, earning a certified grade of Mint State 62 (MS-62). Out of a total mintage of 1,416,000 pieces struck with the 'S' mint mark, finding examples that retain this level of original luster and detail offers a captivating glimpse into early twentieth-century American coinage.