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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/5 dollar 1915 indian head coin

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Expert: - 8/2/2011


Question
Hi   I have a 5 dollar  1915 indian head and eagle coin  in good condition.

There is an L stamped just above the date.

Is this a rare coin or a remake.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Ron:


Thanks for your question. Your coin is likely real.

I think you may be referring to the designer's initials, "BLP", and not the letter "L". From: http://www.usagold.com "The $5 Indian gold coins, designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, were minted from 1908 until 1929. The obverse of the coin bears the image of a native American chieftain, while the reverse shows an American Eagle, perched atop a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, traditional symbols for war and peace." Coin Fineness: .900, Actual Gold Content: .2419 troy ounce.

Your 1915 date is common, and lightly circulated coins sell for about $475 to $500.

For more information on the series, see: http://www.coinsite.com/coinsite-pf/pparticles/$5indian.asp

For mintage and values: http://coinauctionshelp.com/indianhead_halfeagle.html

For gold coin melt values, see: http://www.coinflation.com/gold_coin_values.html

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to the value at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your items to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. With gold coins, you can expect up to about 90%.

Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

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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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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