Sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt was hand-selected by President Theodore Roosevelt to design the $2.50,$5 and $10 Indian Head Gold coins. Pratt was mentored by the world renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, designer of the famous Saint Gaudens Gold Coin. Many believed that it was time to entrust the design of these two gold coins to a younger, more contemporary artist, and Pratt’s subsequent design proved to be highly popular.
The obverse (front) features a Native American, the first American Indian ever to appear on United States coinage. Previously, Caucasians dressed in Native American attire were used as models. The chief on the Indian Head is wearing a full-feathered headdress with the word 'Liberty' inscribed on the headband. A border of 13 stars and the minting date encircle him.
The reverse (back) of the $2.50 coin features a proud bald eagle standing among olive branches, surrounded by the words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'. The motto 'In God We Trust,' and the denomination also appear on the reverse. The magnificent result was what many consider to be one of the nation's finest works of art in gold.
What sets the $2.5 and $5 Indian Head gold coins apart from other United States coins is that they were the first (and only) U.S. gold coins to use the technique known as incuse relief. "Incuse" means that the fine details of the Indian, the Eagle, and the writing are sunken into the gold surface. This new design was created to reduce the wear and replacement costs on these official legal tender gold coins- the circulating money of the day. As a result, the fine details of an incuse $5 Indian are far better preserved today in addition to making them interesting conversation pieces.
Indians were only stuck intermittently from 1907 till 1933 when U.S. gold coins were recalled to the Treasury and millions of gold coins were melted down and destroyed forever.
Due to the affordability and beauty, the Indian Head quarter eagles are one of the most popular 20th century gold coin issues. The $5 Indian Gold Coin is 90% gold and 10% copper.
