1913 Indian Head Half Eagle : History & Value

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The 1913 Indian Head Half Eagle is available up the Alternative Uncirculated however turns into scarce in Gem. The overall variety of grading occasions at MS65 reported by NGC and PCGS is simply over 100, which is midrange for the collection, however CAC has given its imprimatur to only 13 cash at this stage.

Why are Indian Head Half Eagles so scarce in Gem? Bela Lyon Pratt’s resolution to design the coin in Egyptian reduction is the reply. With Egyptian reduction, the design is sunken into the coin and lies under the flat space generally known as the sphere. With the sphere unprotected, any incidental contact with different onerous surfaces will go away noticeable marks. Not serving to issues is the softness of the gold.

These results are considerably minimized on the coin’s obverse, because the canvas is dominated by the Indian determine and his ceremonial headdress; nevertheless, on the coin’s reverse, Pratt’s rendering of the Saint-Gaudens eagle takes up lower than half of the canvas, leaving vast open areas for scratches. Skilled graders usually say {that a} coin’s reverse can not assist the grade however can decrease it. This maxim holds very true for the Indian Head Quarter Eagle and Half Eagle.

When reviewing this coin sort, a key focal space is the reverse area from the 12 o’clock place to about 3 o’clock. The presence of marks right here will possible be of utmost concern to graders and potential consumers.

As for cash graded larger than MS65? By means of 2021, PCGS reported a inhabitants of only one coin in MS66 – the Jim O’Neal-Bob R. Simpson instance. Now, two cash are counted within the PCGS inhabitants report at MS66 and one grading occasion is listed at MS66+. Thus far, we’ve been unable to find public sale appearances of the brand new additions, which we describe intimately in our “Market Information and Noteworthy Specimens” part.

Allan Schein Discusses the Gold Indian Coinage of Bela Lyon Pratt

In Episode #40 of the CoinWeek Podcast, NLG-Award-winning creator Allan Schein drops by to debate the Gold Indians of Bela Lyon Pratt, the publication of his e-book, and the brand new info that he uncovered referring to the artist’s design course of.

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1913 Indian Head Half Eagle Market Information and Noteworthy Specimens

As of this replace, yet one more instance has been stickered by CAC since Might 2024.

High Inhabitants: PCGS MS66+ (1, 2/2025), NGC MS66 (5, 2/2025), and CAC MS65 (13:0 stickered:graded, 2/2025).

• PCGS MS66 #47454398: James Sego, as of Might 2024. Imaged on PCGS CoinFacts. We now have not positioned any earlier auctions for this coin. There’s a skinny diagonal scratch that extends from the eagle’s again and factors in the direction of G. Skinny mark below U of UNITED. This coin seems, primarily based on the TruView, to be the best of the three from a technical standpoint.
• PCGS MS66 #49014781: Stack’s Bowers, March 26, 2024, Lot 4297 – $45,600. Darkish mark at star 3. Tiny darkish spot under star 7. Tiny darkish spot above E of E PLURIBUS UNUM. A skinny curved scratch in a proper obverse area extends to G of GOD. This scratch is intersected by a small, deep scratch midway. Diagonal scratch above eagle’s tailfeather (under RU). Reverse rim hit at 3 o’clock.
• PCGS MS66 #40276134: As PCGS MS66 CAC #18307675. “The Jim O’Neal Assortment of $5 Indians,” Heritage Auctions, January 2011, Lot 5148 – $54,625. O’Neal on insert; Heritage Auctions, July 8, 2011, Lot 4823 – $66,125. As PCGS MS66 #40276134. “The Bob R. Simpson Assortment, Half IV” Heritage Auctions, February 23, 2021, Lo 3108 – $48,000. Skinny diagonal mark from the chin to the highest of star 4. There are two tiny diagonal hits on the cheek. Tiny hit on the eyebrow. There’s a inexperienced copper spot on the eagle’s left claw. Diagonal hit under UNUM. Small ticks above the eagle and to the left of its leg. Tiny horizontal mark above the eagle’s head. Tiny diagonal mark above the tip of the tail-feathers.
• PCGS MS65+ #45697137: Stack’s Bowers, March 21, 2023, Lot 3225 – $13,200.

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Coin Specs

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