subject: Merit Gold - The fascinating history of Indian Gold Coins [print this page] Merit Gold - The fascinating history of Indian Gold Coins
The American Indian gold coins were so called because when these Half Eagle Gold coins were released, they had the portrait of "Miss Libert" with a feathered head dress on its head, which gave it an appearance of an India tribesman living in the various American colonies. They were amongst the natives of the region or you can say the early settlers. Before 20th century, some Indian Head coins were minted in the 19th century as well, but it is said that the portrait on them resembled an Indian princes.
It is not enough for a gold investment consultant to be only aware of the current gold prices. He or should also be able to tell about the fascinating history behind these coins. These coins after all an important way to preserve the history and the rich heritage of the country.
Very few people know that the original prototype of the Indian Half Eagle Gold was designed by one of the best sculptors in the country, Augustus-Saint Gauden (of Double Eagle fame). This coin was cold as Half Gold Eagle because its denomination was $5, half of the Gold Eagle that has the denomination $10. The final touches and indeed the most significant head dress to the portrait of "Miss Libert" design was added by the German engraver Adolph Weinman, who is more renowned for his brilliant design of "the Walking Liberty".
In addition to the portrait, the Indian Head Half Eagle had the customary stars representing the colonies and the words Liberty inscribed on top. The reverse side had the design of an Eagle perched upon an arrow with an olive branch wound around it, the legendary motif of the US's faith in War and Peace.
The coins had become instantly popular and their popularity was second only to the Double Eagle Gold coin, which is still counted amongst the most beautiful coins minted in the country. The coins were minted incuse, that is the designs were engraved on the surface of the coin, causing it to sink deeper. They were not sculpted in a raised manner, as was the norm with other coins.
Indian Half Gold Eagles were minted only till 1915, when their production was suspended due to the outbreak of the World War I. Due to the Great Depression of 1929, their production was halted altogether and therefore, whatever such coins are there today, they are at least a century old, a fact that further aggravated their bullion value. The gold content in this coins was 91.67 percent.
