1908 $5 Indian Head Half Eagle Gold Coin
Coin (Numismatic/Bullion) · Yellow Gold (Traditional Coinage Alloy)
Purity: 90% Gold (21.6K), 10% Copper alloy; Net gold weight: 0.2419 troy oz
Type
Coin (Numismatic/Bullion)
Purity
90% Gold (21.6K), 10% Copper alloy; Net gold weight: 0.2419 troy oz
Gold Type
Yellow Gold (Traditional Coinage Alloy)
Weight
8.36 grams per coin; 0.2687 troy oz total weight
Description
The Indian Head Half Eagle is one of the most unique coins in U.S. history, featuring a revolutionary 'Incuse' design where the details are sunken into the surface rather than raised. Designed by sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt, the obverse depicts a realistic Native American male in a feathered headdress, a departure from the traditional stylized Lady Liberty.
Key Features
Incuse design (sunken relief) which is unique to the Indian Head $2.50 and $5 series; realistic portraiture; recessed fields that protect the design from wear
Color & Finish
Deep, rich orange-yellow luster; Incuse (sunken) relief design with a satin-to-lustrous finish typical of early 20th-century minting; visible patina and light bag marks
Hallmarks & Stamps
Obverse: 'LIBERTY', '1908', and 13 stars; Reverse (not shown but characteristic): 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', 'IN GOD WE TRUST', and denomination 'FIVE DOLLARS'
Dimensions Estimate
Diameter: 21.6 mm; Thickness: 1.4 mm
Gemstones & Inlays
None; purely metallic numismatic construction
Clasp & Closure
Reeded edge (milled) for security and to prevent metal shaving/clipping
Chain & Links
N/A; Solid minted planchet with reeded edge
Craftsmanship Details
Precision die-struck on a planchet of 90% gold; innovative recessed striking technique requiring high pressure to ensure deep indentation of the headdress feathers and facial features
Authentication Indicators
Sharpness of the incuse lettering; specific diameter-to-thickness ratio; distinct 1908 date spacing; correctly formed reeds on the edge; no visible casting seams or surface bubbling common in fakes
Origin & Maker
United States Mint (Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco mints)
Era & Period
Early 20th Century (Renaissance of American Coinage); Progressive Era (1908-1929)
Age Estimate
Manufactured in 1908; approximately 116 years old
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Rooseveltian' era of American numismatics, where coins were elevated to pieces of fine art; reflects early 20th-century American identity and the transition toward realistic national symbols
Condition Notes
Estimated High-Circulated to About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58); visible contact marks in the fields and flat spots on the cheekbones and headdress; overall good eye appeal but requires professional grading for 'Mint State' verification
Value Estimate
Approximately $600 - $750 each based on current gold spot price plus a numismatic premium of 15% - 30% depending on exact grade and mint mark
Care & Maintenance
Never clean or polish numismatic gold as it destroys collector value; store in non-PVC archival flips or hard plastic capsules; handle only by the edges
Similar Items
$2.50 Indian Head Quarter Eagle (smaller diameter), Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (same era, raised relief), $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle (preceding design)
Interesting Facts
The incuse design was initially controversial; some feared the sunken crevices would collect germs and spread disease, leading to public resistance when first released in 1908