1/2 oz GSM Incuse Indian Silver Round (New)

The so-called Indian Head coinage from the United States had a complex coining history. The Indian Head Gold Eagle, a $10 (USD) coin, had a traditional depiction of Liberty wearing a Native American headdress. It was the Incuse Indian design of Bela Lyon Pratt on the Quarter Eagle ($2.50) and Half Eagle ($5) coins that featured an actual Native American figure rather than Liberty dressed as a Native American.

Pratt’s designs appeared on the Quarter Eagle and Half Eagle coin in separate design series. The Quarter Eagle was available from 1908 to 1915 and 1925 to 1929, while the Half Eagle was available from 1908 to 1916 and again in 1929. The coins were originally struck by the US Mint at the Denver Mint and Philadelphia Mint locations.

On the obverse of the ½ oz GSM Incuse Indian Silver Round is the design inspired by Pratt’s original. A Native American leader with full headdress is depicted in left-profile relief along with 15 stars and the word “Liberty.” The design set is incuse, meaning it is struck into the surface of the coin rather than sitting on the surface raised up.