1910 Indian Head $5 Half Eagle

1910 Indian Head half eagles are generally common and are easy to locate in the relative scope of collecting old, pre-1934 United States gold coinage. The Indian Head half eagle was designed by Bela Lyon Pratt and along with the Indian Head $2.50 quarter eagle became the first – and only – U.S. coins to feature an incuse design. Incuse, by the way, refers to the design being minted into the coin’s surface rather than raised above it. Many in the public though the incuse design would collect bacteria, though that concern was unwarranted.

Here’s mintage and value information about 1910 gold half eagles:

• 1910; 604,000 minted, $733

• 1910-D; 193,600; $733

• 1910-S; 770,200, $733

• 1910 proof; 250, $9,500

*Prices are for coins grading Very Fine-30, unless otherwise noted.

There is little fuss to buying 1910 $5 gold coins, except to be careful for counterfeits. This worry can be easily averted by only buying certified coins or raw pieces from reputable coin dealers.

Indian Head half eagles weigh 8.359 grams and are 21.6 millimeters wide, which roughly makes them the size of a modern nickel. They are made with a composition that is 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper, which is the common gold/copper ration for most pre-1934 U.S. gold coins.