Numismatic

1913 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle AU-58 NGC

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The 1913 five-dollar gold piece stands out as a remarkable example of American coinage, showcasing a rare and innovative minting technique. Unlike traditional coins with raised details, this issue features an incuse design, meaning the artwork is sunken directly into the metal surface. This flat, recessed relief gives the coin a completely flat profile while protecting the intricate details of the engraving from wear. On the obverse, a Native American chief wearing a ceremonial feather headdress faces left. This portrait is encircled by thirteen stars, the word Liberty, and the 1913 date, alongside the designer's initials, BLP. The reverse presents a proud bald eagle perched on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. The surrounding inscriptions include United States of America, Five Dollars, and the traditional mottos E Pluribus Unum and In God We Trust. Because this specific issue was struck at the Philadelphia mint, it does not bear a mint mark. Struck from 0.900 fine gold, this coin contains 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents one of 915,901 such pieces minted in 1913, preserved today in a certified About Uncirculated 58 condition that highlights the unique depth of its recessed engraving.