Obverse: identify the front

The 1908 representative shows a left-facing Native American portrait below LIBERTY, with stars and date. The head and inscriptions are recessed below the surrounding field, matching Pratt’s intentional incuse treatment.

Reverse: identify the back

The eagle stands above FIVE DOLLARS, accompanied by the national legend and mottoes. The pictured eagle and lettering are recessed. FIVE DOLLARS is the practical distinction from the smaller 2½ DOLLARS coin.

History and purpose

The Mint attributes the Indian Head quarter and half eagle to Bela Lyon Pratt. The half eagle entered the series in 1908, replacing the Liberty Head $5 portrait but retaining the denomination’s historical nominal gold standard.

How to identify this variant

Read FIVE DOLLARS and check both recessed designs, the year and nominal 21.6 mm diameter. Do not classify the raised-relief $10 Indian Head eagle here; its headdress depiction, denomination, edge and gold content differ.

Understanding its metal content

The historical standard is 129 grains gross at .900 fineness. Multiply 129 by .900 and divide by 480 grains per troy ounce: 0.241875 fine-gold troy oz. Gross metric mass is derived using 0.06479891 g per grain; the displayed 8.35905939 g is a conversion of the nominal standard, not an assay or the measured mass of a worn coin. The remaining 10% is alloy metal; historical legislation permitted copper or a copper/silver alloy.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

The type range is 1908–1929, with interruptions rather than continuous annual production. Review the actual issue and mint mark when attributing a coin. The pictured 1908 example does not illustrate every mint-mark position or die detail.

Melt value versus collector value

Incuse details should remain as found. Worn fields and recessed lettering need an examination rather than a grading inference from relief style. Keep certified holders and provenance with the coin before asking for an appraisal.

Authenticity and condition

Compare the recessed portrait/eagle, FIVE DOLLARS, date, reeded edge and nominal mass together. Incuse styling can also be copied. A photo comparison does not certify the alloy or authenticate a questionable mint mark.

Selling this coin

Count $5 Indian Head pieces separately from $2.50 pieces. Include readable photographs of the denomination, date and mint-mark area. Note repairs or mountings, and preserve the surface during handling.

Sources and calculation methodology

The historical Mint report and Coinage Act document nominal gold standards; NIST documents the unit conversions. The fine-weight override retains the result from grains instead of recalculating from a rounded catalog gram weight. Design and date references are separate from photographs. These calculations describe correctly identified genuine coins at standard weight. No approved live gold-price feed is configured, so dollar melt values remain unavailable. A collector assessment and a purchase offer are separate from metal content.

Common questions

References

• U.S. Mint: Historical gold eagle designs — identity; design Bela Lyon Pratt incuse half eagle introduced 1908 (checked 2026-10-10)
• Historical Coinage Act of 1873, sections 13–14 — weight 129 grains; fineness .900; gold-alloy standard; historical reference, not current legal guidance (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• PCGS: Indian half eagle date periods

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-10. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Liberty Head Half Eagle — $5

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United States • 90% gold, 10% alloy metal; historical copper or copper/silver alloy

Issue years: 1839–1908

Fine gold: 0.241875 troy oz

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