Numismatic

1912 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-62 NGC

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The 1912 five dollar gold piece stands out as a remarkable example of American coinage, showcasing a distinctive incuse design where the details are sunken below the flat surface of the coin. This unusual artistic approach, crafted by sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt, gives the coin a unique tactile quality and helps protect the intricate features from wear over time. On the obverse, a Native American figure is depicted in a detailed ceremonial headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The word LIBERTY is inscribed above the portrait, with the 1912 year of issue positioned below. Because this coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, it does not bear a mint mark. The reverse displays a proud bald eagle perched on a bundle of arrows, flanked by an olive branch. The legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FIVE DOLLARS frame the eagle, while the traditional mottos E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST are nested into the open fields. Struck from 0.900 fine gold, this coin contains 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal and has been certified in Mint State 62 condition, preserving its original luster and sharp details.