$2½ Indian Head
1908-1929

Mintage: 7.3 million

Designer: Bela Lyon Pratt

Also refer to General Information on US Gold Coins.

At the turn of the century, President Theodore Roosevelt thought the existing US coins were ugly and wanted American coins to be as beautiful as the coins of ancient Greece.  In late 1905 he asked renowned American sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens to redesign the $10 eagle and $20 double eagle.  These coins were introduced in 1907, shortly after St. Gaudens’ death.  Roosevelt’s friend, Dr. William S. Bigelow, suggested making coins with devices sunk below the fields, somewhat like some ancient Egyptian coins, and convinced sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt to submit models for the $2½ quarter eagle and $5 half eagle.  Pratt’s designs were forwarded to Mint Engraver Charles E. Barber, who spent several months delaying the coin’s progress and modifying the designs.

The first quarter eagles left the Mint in late 1908 and were immediately attacked by critics who complained that the coin’s reverse relief would attract dirt.  Despite the complaints, the coin’s design remained unchanged throughout its short life.  There was apparently little demand for smaller-denomination gold coins throughout the 1920s and no quarter eagles were made after 1929.

Types: This coin was unchanged throughout its life.

Mints: Minted in Philadelphia (1908-1915, 1926-1929) and Denver (1911, 1914 and 1925).  The ‘D’ mintmark is located on the reverse, just to the left of the arrow point.  It is raised above the surface of the coin and may be faint.

Specifications: Size: 18 millimeters; Alloy: 90% gold, 10% copper; Weight: 4.18 grams (3.762 grams or 0.121 troy oz. of pure gold).

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