Lot 435
1927 Indian Head Two and a Half Dollar Gold Coin
Sold December 12, 2025
- Price realized
- $450
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
Estimated Value: $520-900
Origin: Philadelphia, U.S.A.
Denomination: 2 1/2 Dollars
Year: 1927
Mint: Philadelphia Mint
Grade/Condition: Estimated: MS
Metal: 90% gold and 10% copper
Weight (+/- 0.2g): 4.2 Grams
Additional Description: ChatGPT said:
The 1927 Indian Head $2.50 gold coin continues Bela Lyon Pratt’s bold experimentation with incuse design, a defining feature of this quarter eagle series. The obverse presents a dignified profile of a Native American chief, the details of his full headdress recessed into the gold surface, lending a subtle sculptural depth and a modernist elegance. On the reverse, a flying eagle, likewise incused, conveys both strength and grace, hovering above the inscriptions with remarkable clarity.
Struck in 90 percent gold, the 1927 issue carries intrinsic weight and value, and coins in well-preserved condition display a soft, warm luster that enhances the recessed detail. The unusual design, while initially unconventional, protects the imagery from wear and offers a distinctive tactile quality unique among U.S. coinage.
The 1927 Indian Head quarter eagle embodies a period of artistic innovation at the U.S. Mint, balancing practical coinage with bold visual experimentation. Its combination of historical symbolism, craftsmanship, and recessed artistry makes it a compelling and highly regarded piece for collectors of early twentieth-century American gold coins.
Lot details
- Lot
- 435
- Auction
- Gold and Silver Showcase
- Closed
- December 12, 2025
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