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 second year of the series. In 1909, coins were struck at the San Francisco, Denver, Philadelphia, and New Orleans Mints with a combined mintage of 4.4 million. This represents the highest annual mintage in the entire series, above 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. Produced 7 years before the celebrated 1916 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $1.4K to $106K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $690K in MS66 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt.