Numismatic

1913 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-64 NGC

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In 1913, the Philadelphia Mint produced 915,901 of these five-dollar gold pieces, which stand out as some of the most distinctive coins in United States history. Unlike traditional coinage where the design elements are raised above the surface, this gold half eagle features an innovative incuse design. The details, including the profile of a Native American chief and the standing eagle on the reverse, are sunken directly into the flat surface of the coin. Because this coin lacks a mint mark, we know it was struck at the main Philadelphia Mint facility. This particular specimen has survived the decades in remarkable condition, graded Mint State 64 (MS-64). It contains 0.2419 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 90 percent, representing a fascinating era of American coinage where artistic experimentation met precious metal.