1914 Indian Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle

1914 Philadelphia Indian Head $2.50 quarter eagles are considerably scarcer than other most other Indian Head quarter eagles, including the Denver issue from that same year. However, because relatively few numismatists collect Indian Head quarter eagles by date and mintmark, as is typical with many other 20th-century coin issues. Therefore, the relative scarceness of the 1914 Indian Head quarter eagle may be unnoticed by some collectors.

Here’s a rundown of the mintages and values of 1914 Indian Head quarter eagles:

• 1914, 240,000 minted; $477

• 1914-D, 448,000; $477

• 1914 proof, 117; $5,000

*Values are for coins in a grade of Very Fine 20, unless otherwise noted.

Not many Mint State specimens of the Indian Head quarter eagle remain, as very few were ever saved in that condition. This is largely due to the fact that coin collectors were not very fond of the Indian Head design at the time the coin was new. What’s more, the public felt that the incuse design would collect bacteria, which was a concern that was completely unfounded. Today, the Indian Head design, a creation of designer Bela Lyon Pratt, is well revered in the numismatic community and is a prized collectible by every measure.