Numismatic

1912-S $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-61 NGC

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The 1912-S five-dollar gold piece stands out as a fascinating specimen from the Indian Head Half Eagle series, which is celebrated for its highly unusual incuse design. Unlike traditional coinage where the features are raised above the surface, the details on this coin are sunken into the gold planchet. This distinctive artistic choice gives the coin a flat profile while protecting the intricate details of the design from excessive wear. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin bears the 'S' mint mark, indicating its origin from the West Coast facility. With a recorded mintage of 392,000 pieces, this issue represents a specific moment in American gold coinage before such issues were recalled from circulation. This particular coin has been certified and graded as Mint State 61 (MS-61), preserving its original luster and the sharp lines of its sunken engraving. Composed of 90 percent gold, it contains 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal.