Numismatic

1916-S $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle MS-61 PCGS

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The 1916-S Indian Head five dollar gold piece represents a fascinating chapter in United States coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin features a distinctive mint mark "S" and carries a face value of five dollars. Crafted from 0.900 fine gold, it contains 0.2419 troy ounces of precious metal. This particular specimen has been certified in Mint State 61 (MS-61) condition, preserving its historical details for modern observers to appreciate. What makes the Indian Half Eagle series truly remarkable is its revolutionary incuse design, where the details are sunken below the flat surface of the coin rather than raised above it. The obverse displays a proud Native American figure wearing a traditional feathered headdress, surrounded by stars and the word "LIBERTY". The reverse features a majestic standing eagle, accompanied by the classic national mottos "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "IN GOD WE TRUST". With a original mintage of 240,000 pieces, the 1916-S is a notable issue from the pre-1933 era of American gold. Its unusual flat-relief surfaces and historical artistry make it a compelling subject of study for anyone interested in the evolution of numismatic design.