1912-S $5 Indian Head Half Eagle PCGS MS61

Here’s an attractive yellow-golden example to add to your collection in the very collectible grade of MS61. David Akers writes, “the color of a typical 1912-S is usually quite good, light to medium orange gold being the most common, although rich yellow gold examples exist as well.” PCGS has graded 175 as MS61 with 214 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $3,250.00 in MS61.

Bela Lyon Pratt’s plaster models for the half eagle. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Bela Lyon Pratt (1867-1916) was a little boy.  Just barely 5 years old. But he was a talented artist even at that young age. It was around that time that the family doctor was at the Pratt house.

During his visit, small items on a stand caught his eye. He took a close look at them. They were tiny models of a dog, cat, horse, deer and other creatures. He reached out and picked up one of them, inspecting it carefully. Excitedly, he exclaimed, "Who made these?" Bela's mother said, "Bela pinches them out of beeswax. I can't keep a bit of wax in my work basket. He always plays with it."

“Why, don’t you realize that child is a genius? He is a born sculptor!” declared the doctor to Pratt’s astonished mother. It was a few decade later, in 1907-1908, that he designed one of our most beautiful coins.