1911 $5

Description

1911 Philadelphia $5 Indian Head Half Eagle, PCGS MS-63. This 1911-P Indian Head $5 gold piece represents a popular date within one of America's most challenging classic gold series. Designed by the renowned Bela Lyon Pratt, this half eagle displays the iconic Native American headdress obverse and eagle reverse that defined the series from 1908-1929. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 915,000 pieces, the 1911 remains among the more obtainable dates of the type in circulated and lower Mint State grades. The offered example has been certified by PCGS as MS-63 (Certificate #53577025), placing it solidly within the range where examples can still be found with diligent searching. This grade represents an important threshold for the issue—while the 1911 appears with relative regularity in MS-60 to MS-63 condition, true gem examples become increasingly scarce, with MS-64 pieces considered rare and MS-65 specimens virtually impossible to locate. Population data reflects this scarcity: of 2,633 total graded examples, only 1,197 have achieved grades higher than MS-63. Typical of the date and series, this half eagle likely displays the characteristic striking softness often seen on Pratt's designs, particularly in the feather details of the headdress. The surfaces are expected to show the granular texture and moderate luster typical of 1911 production, with color ranging from light to medium yellow gold. The coin is composed of 90% gold and 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams with a reeded edge. A solid representative of this popular series, suitable for both type collectors and those building a complete Indian Head half eagle set.