In 1908, the United States Mint made a fifth-and-final change to its Gold Half Eagle circulation coins. Under the direction of President Theodore Roosevelt, all circulation American coins underwent design modernizations starting in the 1900s and ending in 1921 with the release of the Silver Peace Dollar. The first coins altered with the Gold US Eagle denominations, and this included the introduction of a first-ever incuse strike on American coins in 1908. Right now, 1908 Pre-33 Gold $5 Indian and Liberty Half Eagle 2-Coin Sets are available to purchase online at Silver.com.
Coin Set Highlights:
- Ships to you in individual plastic flips!
- Two-coin set has 1908-dated Gold Half Eagle coins!
- Included is a first-ever 1908 Indian Head and a last-strike 1908 Liberty Head!
- Coins are in Very Fine+ condition!
- Consists of .242 Troy ounce of actual gold content per coin.
- Bears individual face values of $5 (USD) backed by the federal government.
- The 1908 Liberty Head features a portrait of Liberty on the obverse and the heraldic eagle on the reverse.
- On the 1908 Indian Head is a portrait of an indigenous tribal figure on the obverse and a bald eagle on the reverse.
- Please keep in mind your set contains one coin from each design in the 1908 Half Eagle release.
Each 1908 Pre-33 Gold $5 Indian and Liberty Half Eagle 2-Coin Set has two of the 1908-dated Gold US Half Eagles. In this set, you receive a 1908 Liberty Head coin representing the final strike of a design in circulation for nearly 70 years. The 1908 Indian Head coin in this set represents the first-ever strike of the final design in the Gold Half Eagle Series. Both of the coins in this set are in Very Fine+ condition, with medium-to-light wear and general details still visible throughout.
The 1908 Liberty Head coin in this set features the classic portrait of Liberty. This left-profile portrait shows Liberty with a coronet on her head and a ring of 13 stars around the design element. On the reverse of the 1908 Liberty Head coin is the heraldic eagle of the United States. The bald eagle supports the US national shield while clutching the arrows of war and the olive branch of peace. A banner above its head reads “In God We Trust.”
On the 1908 Indian Head coin in this 2-coin set, the obverse features Bela Lyon Pratt’s unique Indian Head design. The indigenous figure is shown in left-profile relief with a feathered headdress. There are seven stars behind the figure’s head and six in front of the face. The date mark and “Liberty” are inscribed on this face. The reverse side of 1908 Indian Head Coins includes a new eagle design. Here, the bald eagle is perched on a sheaf of arrows that is wrapped in an olive branch.
1908 Indian Head Half Eagles not only marked the end of the nearly 70-year run of the Liberty Head design, but also the first-ever incuse strike on American coins. Incuse strikes set the design elements beneath the surface of the coin’s field rather than engraving the images onto the surface of the coins in 3D relief.
If you have any questions when buying gold, Silver.com is happy to help. Our team is available at 888-989-7223, online using our live chat, and through our email address.