Indian Head Half Eagle Values
How Much Indian Head Half Eagles are Worth: Indian Head Half Eagle Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,108.00 | $1,074.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,612.00 | $2,688.00 | $8,710.00 | $17,100.00 |
| 1908 | D | -- | -- | -- | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,127.00 | $1,091.00 | $1,150.00 | $2,105.00 | $3,195.00 | $21,995.00 | $65,000.00 |
| 1908 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,129.00 | $1,259.00 | $1,232.00 | $5,655.00 | $12,525.00 | $16,600.00 | $21,900.00 | $37,625.00 |
| 1909 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $977 | $967 | $1,150.00 | $1,695.00 | $2,795.00 | $10,100.00 | $16,935.00 |
| 1909 | D | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,091.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,342.00 | $1,893.00 | $10,100.00 | $29,500.00 |
| 1909 | O | -- | -- | -- | -- | $5,950.00 | $8,160.00 | $10,370.00 | $25,490.00 | $108,500.00 | $206,250.00 | $540,000.00 | $857,500.00 |
| 1909 | S | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $995 | $1,182.00 | $3,815.00 | $12,275.00 | $22,550.00 | $60,000.00 | $109,250.00 |
| 1910 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $910 | $1,150.00 | $1,878.00 | $3,595.00 | $10,430.00 | $31,800.00 |
| 1910 | S | -- | -- | -- | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,037.00 | $999 | $1,522.00 | $9,290.00 | $24,900.00 | $91,875.00 | $200,000.00 |
| 1911 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,167.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,918.00 | $4,995.00 | $20,495.00 | $33,050.00 |
| 1911 | D | -- | -- | -- | $1,145.00 | $1,228.00 | $1,458.00 | $2,495.00 | $6,265.00 | $28,950.00 | $65,000.00 | $343,000.00 | -- |
| 1911 | S | -- | -- | -- | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,182.00 | $1,619.00 | $5,350.00 | $11,115.00 | $56,400.00 | $108,750.00 |
| 1911 | (None) Phil | 60-80 Known | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $11,775.00 | $23,350.00 | $32,900.00 | $60,250.00 | $88,500.00 |
| 1912 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,157.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,772.00 | $3,305.00 | $10,870.00 | $41,600.00 |
| 1912 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,093.00 | $1,149.00 | $985 | $2,228.00 | $13,700.00 | $43,700.00 | $285,250.00 | -- |
| 1913 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,167.00 | $1,161.00 | $2,179.00 | $2,958.00 | $10,430.00 | $48,400.00 |
| 1913 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,070.00 | $1,084.00 | $1,119.00 | $1,978.00 | $12,113.00 | $28,995.00 | $142,500.00 | $208,000.00 |
| 1914 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,091.00 | $1,150.00 | $1,995.00 | $3,775.00 | $11,485.00 | $155,000.00 |
| 1914 | D | -- | -- | -- | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $972 | $1,178.00 | $4,279.00 | $5,148.00 | $15,900.00 | $46,900.00 |
| 1914 | S | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,096.00 | $1,177.00 | $1,232.00 | $2,255.00 | $11,750.00 | $53,100.00 | $155,500.00 | -- |
| 1915 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $1,035.00 | $1,045.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,081.00 | $1,005.00 | $1,150.00 | $2,869.00 | $2,945.00 | $10,320.00 | $48,800.00 |
| 1929 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | -- | $12,100.00 | $20,000.00 | $24,175.00 | $35,550.00 | $44,800.00 | $53,500.00 | $114,250.00 | -- |
History of the Indian Head Half Eagle
The Indian Head Half Eagle represents an unusual gold coin series in American numismatic history. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt and struck from 1908 to 1929, this $5 gold piece introduced a notable design shift: an incuse (or sunken relief) design in which the figures and inscriptions are carved into the metal, rather than raised above the surface.
The obverse features a Native-American wearing a full-feathered war bonnet, departing from earlier classical Liberty busts. On the reverse stands an eagle perched on a bundle of arrows, clutching an olive branch, symbolizing both preparedness and peace. The recessed design further distinguished the Indian Head Half Eagle from all preceding U.S. circulating coins.
Production ended during the economic upheaval of the late 1920s. The series had its final strike year in 1929, after which the Great Depression and subsequent Gold Recall Act of 1933 effectively ended circulating gold coinage in the United States.
Collectors and historians often regard this coin as a manifestation of early-20th-century efforts (spearheaded by Theodore Roosevelt) to elevate American coinage from mere utility to artistic achievement. The design remains a touchstone for innovation in U.S. numismatics.
Rarest Coins in the Series
Within the Indian Head Half Eagle series, several specific issues stand out for their desirability and scarcity:
- The 1909-O (New Orleans mint) issue: With a mintage of only about 25,000, and as the only half-eagle of that design struck at New Orleans, it ranks as the most elusive regular-issue date in the series
- The 1911-D issue: With a reported mintage of 72,500 coins, it is one of the lowest-mintage regular-issue dates in the series and sells for higher prices.
- The 1929 Philadelphia issue: Although the mintage might appear moderate, the economic conditions of the era and subsequent melting of gold coins mean that uncirculated survivors are very scarce.
Another complicating factor, and one that affects grading and market availability, is the incuse design itself: because the design elements are recessed, wear tends to show differently, and high-grade examples are rarer than one might assume given mintages. When assessing the Indian Head Half Eagle value, collectors must account for several factors that can heavily influence pricing, including date, mint mark, variety, and condition.
Types of Collections
Collectors of the Indian Head Half Eagle can approach the series in various ways:
- Representative or Type Set: A collector may choose to include one example of the design, such as a more accessible date in moderate condition, as part of a broader U.S. gold or early-20th-century type set.
- Complete Date / Mint-Mark Set: A more ambitious strategy would aim to acquire one example of each date and mint mark in the series (1908–1929 at Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and New Orleans) in business strike condition or better.
- High-Grade / Investment Set: At the top tier, a collector may pursue the finest known examples (mint-state condition, minimal marks, strong strike definition) and treat them as flagship or trophy coins rather than simply completing the series.
Each collecting strategy reflects differing budgets, objectives, and risk tolerances. Whether a collector pursues breadth (many dates) or depth (few but high-quality specimens), the Indian Head Half Eagle offers a meaningful entry into gold coin collecting.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
For a more novice collector, the Indian Head Half Eagle still presents opportunity, but caution and understanding are critical. Many dates are available in moderately circulated condition at modest prices over gold content. By beginning with a more common date in VF-AU condition, a beginner can learn coin handling, grading fundamentals (strike quality, eye appeal), authenticity verification, and storage practices.
Advanced Collecting
For the advanced collector, the game changes significantly. Here, mint marks and condition dominate. Grade jumps are steep; an MS-62 vs MS-65 can mean thousands of dollars. Any surface mark, strike softness, or toning issue can dramatically affect desirability. Advanced collectors will monitor population data, certified coin population reports, and auction results. They also often focus on provenance and certification by major grading services. In this context, evaluating the Indian Head Half Eagle value becomes a sophisticated exercise in numismatic nuance rather than simply gold content plus a modest premium.
Investment Potential
From an investment viewpoint, the Indian Head Half Eagle possesses several notable attributes:
- Intrinsic gold content: As a $5 gold piece, it has a baseline value tied to the gold market price.
- Unique design and historical significance: The one-of-a-kind incuse design, association with coinage reform, and the era of circulating gold coins enhance collectible demand beyond bullion value.
- Scarcity of high-grade survivors: Because of wear, melting, and the difficulties posed by the recessed design, high-grade specimens are scarce, which can support higher prices.