Of course, these complains about the Indian Head Half Eagle and other coins with similar design are proven untrue.

Nowadays, you can ask any coin collector and they will certainly agree that the Indian Head Half Eagle is one of the most popular collectible American gold coins around. Although it’s inexpensive compared to its bigger brother – which is none other than the $20 St. Gaudens Double Eagle.

On the obverse of the Indian Head Half Eagle, you can find the proud Native American facing left while wearing a War Bonnet . Surrounding the obverse of the coin are 13 stars along with the word LIBERTY located at the top of the coin. At the bottom part of the Indian Head Half Eagle’s obverse, you can find the year it was produced coupled with the initials of Bela Lyon Pratt. Along with that, a standing Eagle is featured at the reverse side of the coin coupled with arrows. Encircling the reverse side are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To the left of it, one can find the words E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Overall, the design of the Indian Head Half Eagle is complicated. With that in mind, it is difficult to be graded correctly. That’s especially true for people who are unfamiliar with the unique design of the coin. It doesn’t have the traditional high spots that are common among the coins of the era. If you’re planning to add the Indian Head Half Eagle to your coin collection, it’s important to find ones that are graded by the PCGS or NGC.

The bottom line – the Indian Head Half Eagle is one of the finest looking American coins you could ever lay your hands on.

During the year 1838, the same image of Lady Liberty was used…a year after that, it was also used on the quarter eagle. On the half cent and cent coins of the era, the same basic design was also employed.

The half eagle design which was used in the Liberty Head Half Eagle coin underwent 5 major changes since they were produced back in 1795. Along with that, the Liberty Head Half Eagle also used the Liberty Head Design. This is sometimes known as the Coronet Head due to the coronet worn by Lady Liberty – this has been considered a continuation of the influence of Neoclassicism, which was first seen in 1834.

Looking at the obverse side of the Liberty Head Half Eagle, you will find a portrait of Lady Liberty facing to the left…while having her hair bundled at the back and securing it with a beaded tie. Along with that, however, there are two strands of her hair are found cascading down the side and back of her neck.

To top this off, you can also find the word LIBERTY stretching across the coronet which rests above her forehead.

Additionally, there are 13 six-point stars that encircle within the dentilled rim…and with the date centered at the bottom of the coin. On the reverse side of the Liberty Head Half Eagle, you can find an eagle that has an outstretched wings and with a shield located over its breast. The eagle grips an olive branch on the right claw while his left claw clutches 3 arrows…although the fletching is visible only for 2 of the arrows.

However, in the United States, the US Gold was at a fixed price and fixed ratio (silver-to-gold) of 15 to 1 and that is according to the US Coinage Act Of 1792. With that in mind, it took fewer ounces of silver to buy an ounce of gold in the United States than it would to buy an ounce of gold in Europe. With that in mind, it didn’t take long before the US Gold Coins became a commodity…having more value than their European counterparts. However, this led to thousands of coins being exported and melted. As a response, the 1834 Mint Act addressed this dilemma by reducing the weight and gold content of gold coins…which led to the production of the Classic Head Half Eagle.

The Classic Head Half Eagle is characterized by a left-facing bust of Lady Liberty on the obverse side of the coin. Along with that, Liberty is found wearing a headband which contained the word LIBERTY that runs full length from the front all the way to back. This is coupled by 13 six-point stars that encircle the head and the date is centered at the bottom.

Looking at the reverse side of the coin, one can find the an eagle with its wings outstretched…a design which was used on other coins like the Capped Bust and Capped Head Half Eagles. Still on the reverse side of the Classic Head Half Eagle, the words – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, are broken into 3 parts in the coin.