1909 $2.50 Indian NGC MS64

The 1909 $2.50 Indian Gold Quarter Eagle stands as a bold innovation in American coinage, and this NGC MS64-certified example captures its full visual impact and historical importance. With razor-sharp detail, original mint luster, and minimal marks for the grade, this piece is a top-tier representative of one of the most distinctive U.S. gold coin series ever produced.

Introduced in 1908, the Indian Head Quarter Eagle replaced the Liberty Head design that had dominated the denomination since 1840. The new design, created by Bela Lyon Pratt, broke tradition in a dramatic way. Unlike the raised relief of most U.S. coins, the Indian series was struck incuse, meaning the design is sunken below the surface of the coin. This unusual approach was controversial at the time but has since gained widespread admiration for its originality and boldness.

The obverse features a Native American chieftain in full headdress, facing left, surrounded by 13 stars and the word LIBERTY. The reverse depicts a stately bald eagle standing on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the denomination 2½ DOLLARS. This pairing of powerful imagery with compact size makes the Quarter Eagle one of the most artistic small-denomination coins in U.S. history.

The 1909 issue comes from the second year of production for the Indian Quarter Eagle series. It had a mintage of 441,760 coins, a moderate figure that has become far more meaningful over time as high-grade survivors grow harder to locate. Many of these coins were released into circulation, where the incuse design made them more susceptible to wear than traditional raised-relief coins. That makes any Mint State example especially appealing, and those graded MS64 by NGC are among the best values in the marketplace.

For investors, the 1909 $2.50 Indian offers the advantage of pre-1933 U.S. gold in a compact and highly liquid format. With a gold content of .12094 troy ounces, it is both an affordable entry point and a strategic diversification piece. Its historical significance and collector interest add a premium that bullion coins simply cannot match.

Whether you are building a complete Indian Head set, seeking a high-grade type coin, or simply looking for a standout piece of early 20th-century U.S. coinage, this 1909 $2.50 Indian NGC MS64 is a compelling choice. It brings together exceptional design, certified quality, and a tangible link to America’s golden age of coin production.