#1 Indian $2.5 Buyer Las Vegas & Henderson

History

Made with 90% gold, (the remainder being 10% copper for durability), the Indian Head $2.50 gold coin was minted from 1908 until 1929. This $2.50 gold piece was minted in the Philadelphia and Denver mints. This was the last $2.50 gold piece minted for circulation with no coins minted in this denomination after 1929. The $2.50 gold coin is referred to as a “Quarter Eagle” as a shorthand term for the coin indicating it is one quarter the denomination of an “Eagle” or ten dollar coin. This gold coin is also unique in that for the first time an incuse design was used, (both the $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins of this period utilized the incuse design). The incuse design actually has the images of the coin impressed inwardly from the coins surface. Also for the first time an image of an American Indian in full headdress is featured on the coin. This series is of relatively short duration. While the series was minted during the period from 1908 to 1929, the actual years of mintage were only from 1908 to 1915 and then again from 1925 to 1929. As a result, it is a popular series among collectors as it is reasonably possible to collect the entire series since there are only a total of fifteen coins, (including all dates and mintmarks). All but one of these coins can be obtained for a few hundred dollars, an amount approximately equal to its gold value.

The obverse or front of the coin displays a bust of an American Indian Chief in fully feathered headdress of incuse design with the word “Liberty” above the head. Thirteen stars surround the Indian’s head representing the original thirteen colonies. The reverse of the coin displays an eagle standing on a branch with wings folded in and also of incuse design. The mintmark is to the left of and below the branch with the denomination of the coin appearing below the eagle at the bottom of the coin.

Value

There are three key factors that determine the value of Indian Head gold coins. First, there is the gold content. The diameter of the $2.50 Indian Head gold piece is 18 mm and it has a total weight of 4.18 grams. Since they were made with 90% gold, a significant aspect of their value is based purely on that gold content. While they have a “2 1/2 dollar” face value, their intrinsic value is tied to the gold content, which is 0.12094 of a troy ounce. As a result, and regardless of any other factor, they are always worth an amount equal to their gold weight consistent with the current gold spot price or “melt value”. The other determiners of value are the scarcity and condition of the coin.

Many years of the series in lower grade condition do not carry a premium much above their gold content. Prices for common date coins do not start to exceed their gold content value until you reach almost uncirculated or better condition coins. The one particularly scarce year, 1911 D, can be worth over $2,000 in well circulated condition and reach $25,000 in high mint sate condition. Early years in the series are also more valuable in high mint state reaching values of between $1500 and $6,000.

Because there are so many varied opinions on the condition (or grade) of a coin, the values mentioned reflect the highest retail prices that have been obtained for those coins that have been assessed by a third party grading company. Such coins have been authenticated, graded and encapsulated by expert coin grading companies to minimize any doubt as to their authenticity, quality and value and therefore their potential worth.

We Buy Indian Head $2.50 Gold Coins

We want to buy your coins and as a business it is our pledge to offer you the best value for your coins, however, always remember that the prices you may find online or in price guides usually represent the highest retail value for the coin in an already certified condition. As a trusted dealer we will have our coin specialists evaluate your coins at no cost and offer you a price that is both fair for you, but that also allows us to realize a reasonable profit.