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Question
Is the mint mark on a $5 Indian half eagle incused (like the rest of the coin) or raised from the field? I saw a closeup picture of one online and it looked like it was raised. I don't own any of these, but have noted that the red book states that 1915-Ds are counterfeits.
Hi Patrick:
Thanks for your question.
On the Indian Head $5 gold, the raised mint mark, if any, is in front of the bundle of arrows on which the eagle is perched.
With gold at over $1300 a troy ounce, Indian Head "Fives" in average condition will bring about $400 each. Most of the dates are considered common, but the 1908-S, 1909-O, 1911-D, 1913-S, 1915-S, and 1929 are among the scarcest dates in the series. The 1929 is the rarest date and is worth at least $10,000 in any condition.
For individual dates and mint marks for the Indian $5 gold series, see: http://www.bestcoin.com/five-dollar-gold.htm
The reason that the "Red Book" states the 1915-D is counterfeit is because the $5 Indian gold coins were only struck from 1908 to 1911.
Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.
Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 6 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | While the answer was APPARENTLY given in the first sentence, it stated "the raised mint mark, if any..." giving the location of the mint mark. My question was a simple one: ARE the mint marks raised on this coin? The answer gives the location of any raised mint mark, if there is one, but does not state that all mint marks are raised (or given the location of an incused mint mark, if any). This still leaves open the answer to the original question. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Ronald Fern
Expertise
I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.
Experience
Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.
Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG
Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News
Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964
BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968
Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.
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