1908 US Indian Head Gold Five Dollar Half Eagle in 14k Gold Bezel
This lovely American coin was the first to have an engraved relief rather than a raised relief design. President Theodore Roosevelt, interested in every aspect of the government, turned his attention to the US Mint during the first decade of the 20th Century and commissioned this unusual sunken design after a friend mentioned seeing similar incuse relief designs on Egyptian art in a museum.
Roosevelt commissioned Bela-Lyon Pratt to design the coin and it entered circulation in 1908.
This particular coin was minted in Denver
148,000 of this coin were minted in Denver
The design on both sides was done by Bela Lyon Pratt
The coin itself weighs 8.36g and is 21.6mm in diameter
Bezel and Coin together measure 35mm (including bail) and 23mm in diameter
Bezel and Coin together wear 6.25 dwt or 9.6g
The edge of the coin is reeded