$5 Indian Head Half-Eagle Type Gold Coin History:
From the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, the US Mint was constantly adding new gold coin designs in a number of sizes and denominations. The $5 Indian Head Gold Eagles were produced for barely more than 20 years starting in 1908 and ending in 1929, but they can still be found today. These Indian Head gold coins feature a stunning design that is surprisingly detailed, especially for a gold coin that is so old. Despite them having gold a content that is just shy of the US Mint’s current standards, $5 Indian Head Gold Half Eagles are sought after by investors just as frequently as they are by collectors.
$5 Half-Eagle Indian Head Type Gold Coin Specifications:
- Minted in United States
- Minted from 1908-1929
- Face Value $5
- Purity 0.900 fine pure gold
- Gold content .2419 troy oz.
- Thickness 1.4 mm
- Diameter 21.6 mm
- Known as the Indian Head Half-Eagle
- Designs and inscriptions are not raised like most other coins, the designs are sunken below the gold coins surface.
- Obverse: Features a strong image of an Indian Head wearing a traditional Indian Headdress encircled with the 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies with the word “Liberty” and the mint date below. (Indian Head $5 Gold Coin has identical Indian Head as the $2.50 piece)
- Reverse: Shows a majestic bald eagle holding a bundle of arrows along with an olive branch, surrounded by “United States of America”, E Pluribus Unum”, “In God We Trust” and the denomination “Five Dollars.” (Fun Fact: The Eagle cannot be shown on any cent coin, must be shown on a dollar coin)
Gold coins, like the $5 Indian Head Gold Coin known as the Indian Head Half-Eagle, minted in the U.S. prior to 1933 possess not only gold’s tangible value, they also make a brilliant addition to any collection. The appeal of pre-33 gold coins is centered on gold’s reputation for being a sturdy investment, and enhanced by the value of rare and historically significant coinage.
