1915 Indian Head Half Eagle

About This Coin

The 1915 Indian Head Half Eagle is a United States Gold Half Eagle from the Indian Head Half Eagles 1908-1929 series — a late issue, 8th of 10 years in the series. In 1915, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 752,075. This ranks 3rd of 10 years by total mintage, below the series median of 1.2 million. 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, in incuse (sunken) relief. Produced during the Progressive Era, when President Theodore Roosevelt championed a renaissance in American coin design that produced some of the most beautiful coins ever struck. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams, 21.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Struck one year before the 1916 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $1.4K to $25K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $120K in MS64+ grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt.