1933 gold Indian Eagle rarity realizes close to $900,000

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Some $5 and $10 Indian Head gold coins were the highest-priced stars of a recent numismatic sale, with the top seller commanding almost $900,000.

Designed by the renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the star of the show was minted in the infamous year of 1933, before President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his executive order calling for Americans to turn in their gold. The 1933 $10 Indian Head Eagle, certified at MS66 by PCGS and featuring a green CAC sticker of quality assurance, realized $881,250 with added buyers premium. Although 312,500 were originally minted, a maximum of only 40 are thought to have survived the government melting pots. Only one other $10 Eagle of this year is graded at MS66, rated by NGC.

Unlike the 1933 Double Eagle, the surviving Indian Eagles are legal for Americans to own, having been minted and released before Roosevelt’s executive order. Thus, they’re free of the litigation and prosecutions that have been associated with the famed 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold pieces.

The second-biggest seller featured the famous incuse design of Bela Lyon Pratt: a 1909-O $5 Indian Half Eagle, graded at MS65 by PCGS and called a condition rarity in higher grades by CoinWeek. With only 34,200 minted, just 1,416 are thought to have survived, with mint-state examples very rare. This coin is among the top-three finest survivors and thus realized $517,000 one of the highest prices paid for any 1909-O.

The third-highest-priced Indian was another Saint-Gaudens, a 1907 $10 Eagle with Rounded Rim, certified at MS65 by PCGS and sporting a CAC sticker. The Rounded Rim coins were produced after the 1907 Wire Edge Eagles, but the Mint wasn’t quite satisfied and melted all but 42 of the pieces. Thus, this example achieved $376,000 at the sale.

Several other important and gorgeous $5 and $10 Indians broke through the $100,000 barrier, while a host of others sold for proportionately impressive prices. If you’re looking for high-quality Indian gold, Blanchard and Company currently (as of June 8, 2016) has quite a few in stock, for example:

  1. A 1910 Indian Quarter Eagle certified at PR67+ by PCGS and carrying a CAC sticker. This coin is one of just about 492,000 originally minted at the Philadelphia Mint. Lower grade examples are very easy to purchase, but in Gem condition the date becomes quite rare, NGC’s site says. Less than 175 coins have been certified at that level. Superb examples are almost non-existent with only a dozen certified as MS 66 (11/12).
  2. A 1911 Indian Eagle certified at MS66 by NGC and bearing a green CAC sticker. One of 505,500 produced in Philadelphia. The 1911 Indian Head $10 makes a great type coin, as most are well struck, with minimal marks, NGC notes.
  3. A 1911-D Indian Quarter Eagle graded at MS63 by NGC. This product of the Denver Mint is one of just 55,680 produced that year in Colorado. This date is the undisputed KEY to the series, the NGC site notes. Because of its low mintage and survival rate, this date brings a healthy price in circulated condition. The 1911D Indian Head Quarter Eagle has by far the lowest mintage and it seems that surprisingly few were saved.
  4. A 1913 Indian Eagle certified at MS65 by PCGS and sporting a CAC sticker. One of 442,000 such coins originally minted in Philadelphia.
  5. A 1911-D Indian Quarter Eagle graded at MS61 by NGC. Another example of this small run of just 55,680 coins produced in Denver.

These are just a few of our current offerings featuring the iconic images of the American Indian. In addition to Indian Head coins, our latest numismatic inventory also features numerous Indian Princess gold pieces of various years and denominations.