1908 Indian Head Quarter Eagle
Base
About This Coin
The 1908 Indian Head Quarter Eagle is a United States Gold Quarter Eagle from the Indian Head Quarter Eagles 1908-1929 series — the first year of the series. In 1908, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 565,057. This ranks 7th of 13 years by total mintage, at the series median of 565,057. The obverse features a Native American chief wearing a feathered headdress, designed in incuse (sunken) relief — a revolutionary departure from traditional raised relief coinage and the reverse displays a standing eagle on a bundle of arrows with an olive branch. First year of the incuse design. Critics attacked the sunken relief as unsanitary, but the coins entered circulation at Philadelphia. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 4.18 grams, 18 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $866 to $15K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $71K in PR67 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
