$5 Indian

Overview

The $5 Indian Head is one of two coins designed by sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt. Dr. William Sturgis Bigelow, a good friend of the president, recommended Pratt, who had once been a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The $5 Indian Head is smaller and less impressive than the coins of Saint-Gaudens, but the Pratt designs are more innovative and daring.

Design

The obverse (front) shows a Native American chief, the first true Native American ever to appear on United States coinage. Before, Caucasian models dressed in native attire were used. The chief on the Indian Head wears a full-feathered headdress with “Liberty” above the headband. The issue date and 13 stars circle him.The reverse has a bald eagle among olive branches, surrounded by “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the denomination.

Minting

The $5 and $2.50 Indian Head gold coins are the first (and only) U.S. gold coins to use the incuse relief technique, giving the lettering and design elements a sunken look on a flat plane. This technique caused controversy when the coin was released because many wrongly believed the design grooves would spread germs.

Valuation

This is a premium coin, meaning its value is tied to factors other than the value of the spot price of the precious metal it contains. Valuation factors include, but are not limited to, speculative interest, collector and investor demand, available supply, industry promotions, perceived value, economic conditions, and other factors we deem relevant. The value assigned to this coin at any given time may vary from retailer to retailer and Augusta cannot guarantee another retailer will value this premium coin at the same rate as Augusta would in any given circumstance. Augusta cannot guarantee buy-back of any item it sells and cannot guarantee another retailer will purchase this premium coin. For up-to-date market pricing and availability, please contact us directly.