Numismatic

1914-D $2.50 Indian Gold Quarter Eagle XF

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The 1914 gold quarter eagle represents a fascinating departure from traditional coinage methods. Created by Bela Lyon Pratt, this two and a half dollar coin features an incuse design, meaning the details are sunken below the flat surface of the metal rather than raised above it. This distinctive technique gives the piece a flat, protected profile that has helped preserve its features over more than a century. On the obverse, a Native American figure wearing a full ceremonial headdress faces left, encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The word LIBERTY arches over the top of the portrait, with the 1914 date positioned below. This side showcases the unique sunken relief that defines the series, which was produced by the United States Mint between 1908 and 1929. The reverse displays a proud bald eagle standing on a bundle of arrows and holding an olive branch. The bird is surrounded by the country of origin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the denomination. The traditional mottos, E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST, are also integrated into the design. Struck at the Denver Mint, this particular issue had a mintage of 448,000 pieces, each containing 0.12094 troy ounces of gold with a purity of 90 percent.