1908 $5 Indian MS(PCGS#8510)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Commissaire-priseur

Stack's Bowers

Numéro du lot

8553

Grade

MS65

Prix

12 600

Description du lot

Drenched in deep, vivid orange-gold patina, this gorgeous Gem is also awash in full satin to softly frosted luster. The strike is razor sharp throughout, the surfaces uncommonly smooth and well preserved for this conditionally challenging 20th century gold type. The Philadelphia Mint's premier issue of sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt's Indian half eagle, the 1908, was produced to the extent of 577,845 pieces for circulation, along with 167 Sand Blast Proofs for sale to collectors. As interesting as the coin may have been to certain inner circles at the Mint, the motif was roundly detested, and many negative letters were printed in The Numismatist concerning it. As a result, very few collectors saved such pieces. It was not until generations later that they became popular, by which time the vast majority of high grade pieces had long since disappeared. Today in 2025, the 1908 is the most often encountered Indian half eagle in Gem Mint State. This is a scarce type in the finest Mint State grades, however, with demand for high grade survivors exceeding the number extant from all issues in the series. This scarce PCGS MS-65 would nicely represent the type or date in an advanced cabinet.<p>