The 1913 $5 Indian Head Half Eagle was produced during a calm stretch in the American economy, just before major changes arrived with the outbreak of World War I and the creation of the Federal Reserve System later that same year. Coins from this era reflect a transitional moment in US monetary history, when gold coinage still played a direct role in daily commerce and banking. Today, 1913 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle Coins in Mint State condition are available online at BullionMax.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives in a protective plastic slab!
• 6th year for the Indian Gold Half Eagle!
• Declared mintage of 915,901 coins at Philadelphia!
• Limited availability of certified specimens!
• Contains .242 troy oz of actual gold content.
• Bears a face value of $5 (USD) backed by the federal government.
• Issued a Grade of Mint State 62 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
• On the obverse is an indigenous figure.
• The reverse depicts an American bald eagle.

Each 1913 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle Coin offered here has been certified in Mint State 62 condition. Coins at this grade level typically show moderate signs of contact for their age, including a few noticeable marks in main design areas and scattered hairlines. Overall eye appeal remains pleasing, especially when considering the age of the coin. Many surviving examples display warm gold tones that range from soft yellow to honey-apricot shades. Although more than 900,000 coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1913, it is estimated that only about 44,000 examples remain today, with far fewer surviving in Mint State condition.

The year 1913 falls within the Progressive Era, a time marked by rapid industrial growth and expanding infrastructure across the United States. Gold coins such as the $5 Half Eagle were commonly used in higher-value transactions and served as important reserves for financial institutions. While total production across the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints exceeded 1.3 million coins, many examples were later lost during the widespread melting of US gold coins in 1933, significantly reducing the number of high-quality survivors.

On the obverse of the 1913 Indian Half Eagle Coin is a left-facing portrait of an indigenous figure. This design, created by Bela Lyon Pratt, was among the first to feature an indigenous subject on US coinage. The portrait is notable for its incuse style, meaning the design is recessed into the coin’s surface rather than raised, giving it a distinctive look and feel compared to earlier American gold coins.

The reverse of the 1913 $5 Gold Half Eagle features the American bald eagle. The bird is shown perched on a bundle of arrows, with its wings folded at its sides. An olive branch wraps around the arrows, representing a balance between strength and peace. Like the obverse, the reverse design was struck incuse, completing the unique visual style of the Indian Head Half Eagle series.

If you have any questions about buying gold coins, please feel free to reach out. BullionMax customer service is available at 800-729-3202, online through our web chat, and via email.