1909 Indian Head Half Eagle

About This Coin

The 1909 Indian Head Half Eagle is a United States Gold Half Eagle from the Indian Head Half Eagles 1908-1929 series. The obverse features a Native American chief wearing a feathered headdress, designed in incuse (sunken) relief — a revolutionary departure from traditional raised relief coinage, while the reverse displays a standing eagle on a bundle of arrows with an olive branch, in incuse (sunken) relief. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams, 21.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced at the Denver, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Mints. The Indian Head Half Eagle shares the groundbreaking incuse design of the Quarter Eagle, part of Theodore Roosevelt's initiative to elevate American coin artistry. The sunken relief was unique in world coinage at the time. The 1909-O (mintage 34,200) is the key date and the only New Orleans Mint issue. High-grade examples are appreciated for the sharp incuse detail that lower-grade coins cannot match.