Bill Jones' Basic Type set
$5 INDIAN HEAD (1908-1929)

Owner Comments:

It was thought that Bela Lyon Pratt's unusual incuse design for the $2.50 and $5.00 Indian gold pieces would be highly durable while in circulation. All of the coins’ lettering and devices were below the surface of the fields, which, it was thought, would protect them from rubbing. Unfortunately the design, which had no protective rim around the edge of the coin, left the fields to take the brunt of the wear and abuse. These coins quickly acquired marks and rubbing in the fields, which gave them a scruffy appearance while in circulation. The net effect was that contemporary users found these coins to be unattractive, and modern collectors have a very difficult time finding high grade examples.

This 1913 half eagle is an exceptionally nice MS-64 in an old "green label" PCGS holder. The $5 Indian is the most difficult coin to locate in Choice Mint State condition in the eight piece gold type set. Exceptionally attractive MS-64 examples, like this one, are very hard to find, and a "real MS-65" is a genuine rarity regardless of the date.