1908 $2 1/2 Indian NGC MS64 CAC
2026/07/24
Great
2026/07/24
Not applicable
2026/07/24
Easy to use.
2026/07/24
Simple and quick service. Great products and pricing.
2026/07/23
quicker than last time and no hastle
2026/07/23
Good experience, my go to for precious metals and coin.
Introduction
The 1908 $2.50 Indian Gold Quarter Eagle marks the inaugural year of one of America's most innovative and distinctive gold coin series. Certified NGC MS64 and approved by CAC, this exceptional pre-1933 gold coin exhibits outstanding luster, sharp detail, and premium eye appeal. As the first-year issue of the Indian Head Quarter Eagle series, the 1908 is highly sought after by collectors who appreciate both its artistic significance and historical importance.
History
The Indian Head Quarter Eagle debuted in 1908 as part of President Theodore Roosevelt's ambitious campaign to improve the artistic quality of United States coinage. Roosevelt commissioned renowned sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt, a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to create a bold new design unlike anything previously seen on American circulating coins.
Rather than using the traditional raised relief found on virtually every coin in history, Pratt introduced an innovative incuse design, with the portrait and reverse elements recessed below the coin's surface. Although Pratt's innovative incuse design was initially met with criticism, the concerns proved unfounded, and today the Indian Head Quarter Eagle is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and technically innovative coins ever produced by the United States Mint.
As the first issue in the series, the 1908 Quarter Eagle occupies a special place in American numismatics. High-grade examples with CAC approval are especially prized for their originality, exceptional eye appeal, and premium quality.
Design
The obverse features a left-facing portrait of a Native American wearing a full feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars with the date positioned below. Pratt's recessed portrait gives the coin a distinctive three-dimensional appearance that remains unmatched in United States coinage. More than a century after its release, the design continues to be admired for its originality and artistic beauty.
The reverse depicts a standing eagle perched atop a bundle of arrows wrapped with an olive branch, symbolizing both military strength and the nation's desire for peace. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the denomination 2 1/2 DOLLARS complete the design. Coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1908 bear no mintmark, distinguishing them from branch mint issues produced later in the series.
| Year | 1908 |
|---|---|
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Metal | Gold |
| Grade | MS64 |
| Fineness | .900 |
| Weight | 0.12 |
| Diameter | 18mm |
A LITTLE STICKER MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Within each number of the coin grading scale is a small range of condition from low-end to high-end. Certified coins of the same grade can be of varying quality. Many of today’s collectors want coins that are solid or premium quality for their assigned grade. CAC holds coins to a higher standard so you can be confident in the value of yours. We verify previously graded coins … and award our sticker only to those coins that meet the standard for today’s selective buyer.
WHAT THE CAC STICKER MEANS:
- Verified. Your coin has been verified as meeting the standard for strict quality within its grade.
- Guaranteed. CAC stands behind our verification.
THE CAC STICKER IS BACKED BY EXPERIENCE.
CAC was founded by leading members of the numismatic community, including John Albanese, a respected authority on coin grading and the rare coin market.
