1909 $2 1/2 Indian Head Gold Quarter Eagle NGC MS65 CAC
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Introduction
The 1909 $2.50 Indian Head Gold Quarter Eagle is a distinctive early 20th-century United States gold coin celebrated for its innovative incuse design. Created by sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt, the Indian Head Quarter Eagle features recessed design elements that set it apart from traditional American coinage. This Philadelphia Mint example is graded NGC MS65 and has received CAC approval, combining Gem Uncirculated preservation with an additional assessment of quality within the assigned grade.
History
The Indian Head Quarter Eagle was introduced in 1908 as part of President Theodore Roosevelt's initiative to improve the artistic quality of American coinage. Sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt developed an innovative design for the $2.50 and $5 gold denominations, featuring devices recessed below the surrounding coin surface rather than raised above it.
In 1909, the Philadelphia Mint struck 441,760 Indian Head Quarter Eagles. The issue belongs to the series produced from 1908 through 1915 and again from 1925 through 1929. Although the 1909 issue had a substantial original mintage, examples preserved in Gem Uncirculated condition are especially desirable to collectors seeking high-quality representatives of Pratt's distinctive design.
The Indian Head Quarter Eagle reflects a period of artistic experimentation at the United States Mint. Its unusual appearance and compact gold denomination have made it a popular choice among collectors of classic American gold coins. This NGC MS65 example, with additional CAC approval, represents a well-preserved example of the series.
Design
The obverse features a left-facing portrait of a Native American wearing a feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original states. LIBERTY appears above the portrait, while the date 1909 appears below. The design elements are recessed into the coin's surface, creating the distinctive incuse appearance associated with Bela Lyon Pratt's gold coinage.
The reverse depicts a standing eagle perched on a bundle of arrows with an olive branch, surrounded by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and IN GOD WE TRUST. The denomination 2 1/2 DOLLARS appears below the eagle. Philadelphia Mint issues carry no mintmark.
| Year | 1909 |
|---|---|
| Metal | Gold |
| Grade | MS65 |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Weight | 0.1209 |
| Fineness | .900 |
| 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.
