1913 $5 Indian Head Half Eagle PCGS MS64

Here’s an attractive piece to add to your collection. David Akers writes of this issue: “This issue is usually well struck with finely granular surfaces and very good to excellent lustre. In terms of overall appearance … this is one of the better looking issues of the series in high grade. Color is typically light to medium yellow gold with some specimens having an attractive greenish tint.” PCGS has graded 679 as MS64 with 144 finer. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $4,000.00 in MS64.

Photo of Bela Lyon Pratt, who crafted the design of this iconic coin. 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.