1913 $2 1/2

Description

1913 Indian Head Quarter Eagle, PCGS MS-63. This 1913 $2 1/2 gold piece represents a notable issue from the Indian Head Quarter Eagle series designed by renowned sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 722,000 pieces, this example has been certified by PCGS as MS-63 (Certificate #20498740). The coin displays the characteristic design elements of the series, with the incused Native American profile on the obverse and the eagle perched on an arrow on the reverse, a distinctive departure from traditional raised relief coinage of the era. Composed of 90% gold and 10% copper, this quarter eagle weighs 4.18 grams and measures 18mm in diameter with a reeded edge. The 1913 issue is notable for its generally well-executed strike quality and decidedly above-average luster compared to many examples from the series. The surfaces exhibit the somewhat granular texture characteristic of the Indian Head $2 1/2 and $5 denominations, with color typically presenting as light to medium yellow gold. While the 1913 is often overlooked by collectors, it represents only a marginal difference in rarity compared to nearby dates such as the 1912, 1909, 1910, and 1911. However, in gem condition (MS-65 or better), this date becomes increasingly scarce and difficult to locate. Among the 1,801 examples graded by PCGS, only 1,339 have achieved higher grades, underscoring the relative scarcity of premium quality specimens. This MS-63 example offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a well-preserved representative of an underappreciated date from this classic pre-1933 gold series.