$2 1/2 Indian BU (Dates Vary)

Introduction

The $2½ Indian Head Gold Quarter Eagle stands out as one of America’s most distinctive and collectible pre-1933 gold coins. Struck from .900 fine gold and preserved in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, these coins (dates vary) feature exceptional luster and sharp detail. Their sunken design and rich history make them a favorite among collectors and investors seeking both artistry and lasting value.

History

Introduced in 1908, the Indian Head Quarter Eagle was designed by sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt under the supervision of President Theodore Roosevelt, who sought to elevate the artistic quality of U.S. coinage. Pratt’s innovative incuse (sunken) design was a radical departure from traditional raised-relief coins.

Struck from 1908 to 1929, the series witnessed both the end of the Classical Coinage Era and the onset of the Great Depression. Many were melted after the 1933 Gold Recall, making surviving examples in Brilliant Uncirculated condition increasingly scarce. The $2½ Indian remains a cornerstone of the early 20th-century U.S. gold series.

Design

The obverse features a left-facing Native American chief wearing a feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars and the word LIBERTY above, with the date below. The reverse displays a proud American eagle perched on a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, flanked by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and IN GOD WE TRUST.

Unlike most U.S. coins, both sides of the Indian Head design are recessed below the coin’s surface, giving it a distinctive look and feel. Each Brilliant Uncirculated example showcases bright mint luster and crisp detail, preserving Pratt’s bold and unconventional artistry.