1909 $2.50 Indian NGC MS64

Introduction

The 1909 $2.50 Indian Quarter Eagle NGC MS64 is a remarkable example of early 20th-century U.S. gold coinage. Struck in 90% fine gold and certified by NGC in near-Gem Mint State condition, this coin showcases sharp detail and radiant luster that highlight its unique incuse design. Collectors and investors alike prize this issue for its historical significance, artistic innovation, and enduring value within the pre-1933 U.S. gold series.

History

Introduced in 1908, the Indian Head Quarter Eagle series represented a bold new direction in American coin design. Sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt created an incuse, or sunken-relief, design—an unprecedented choice in U.S. coinage at the time. This artistic innovation was part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s mission to beautify America’s coins and elevate their artistic merit.
The $2.50 Indian series was struck from 1908 through 1929, surviving economic upheavals and the eventual recall of circulating gold in 1933. The 1909 issue stands out as one of the early-year examples from the Philadelphia Mint, and coins graded MS64 are highly sought after due to their exceptional eye appeal and limited availability in this high state of preservation.

Design

The obverse features the left-facing portrait of a Native American chief wearing a detailed feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars and the word LIBERTY, with the date 1909 below. The reverse depicts a proud American eagle standing on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing strength and peace, with inscriptions including UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and IN GOD WE TRUST.
Both designs are recessed below the coin’s surface, creating a distinct tactile and visual experience unique to Pratt’s artistry. This incuse style, paired with the coin’s warm gold tone and crisp detail, gives the 1909 $2.50 Indian a timeless, unmistakable character.