$2.5 and $5 indian's Thoughts appreciated - Looking for type coins.
Clackamas1
Posts: 985 ✭✭✭✭✭
I am looking to get type coins and I will be frank, I know very little about these. I looked at some at a coin show in Portland recently and nothing really struck me as a great coin. Most of the coins were fairly pricey for GEM IMO. I always thought GEM was a coin you would be proud to own. I really like gold that has luster and pops out, heck even an MS62 can do that but is this series just plagued with no luster?
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As a general rule, due to their design, Indian quarter eagles and half eagles won’t display luster on par with that of Liberty gold coins.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
What are some of the dates to look at for a good type coin? I would imagine, as with other series, there are dog dates/mm and some that are great and hopefully plentiful. Laura has a 10-S that looks stunning but that coin in 64 is not a type coin price. The 14-D she has looks nice. She always has the goods. https://www.legendnumismatics.com/inventory/?category=gold-coinage&type&orderby
I’d recommend this for many series, and these two aren’t any exception: I think it’s better not to start out looking for particular dates, as that limits your options unnecessarily, Look at as many examples as you can and take your time. With type coins, in particular, there will be a lot of options.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
The $5 Indian gold coin is among the most difficult coins to find in choice (MS-63 and 64) and Gem (MS-65 and better) to find in the eight and 12 piece gold type sets. The problem is that the fields are the highest surfaces and very prone to wear and marks. It took me a couple years to find in the 1960s when I was getting started. The $2.50 Indian is a little easier because it is lighter and less prone to marks. The idea was that the recessed features would last for a long time in circulation, but there was surprise when the fields proved to be a problem.
Nice AU coins are much more available although the best AU $5 Indian coins end up Mint State holders. I’ll post a very nice MS-64 $5 Indian tomorrow.
If you have the patience Heritage has a spectacular Indian group at FUN
@Clackamas1, most common and most plentiful, but ok as a type coin with relatively nice surfaces and minimal marks. This will do for me until I upgrade to a 64 or better.
nice example ! congratulations
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Be careful when buying MS-62 coins of this design, as they may be market graded choice AU. It is my understanding that the incuse gold Indians suffer from this above all other types. That said, there's nothing wrong with settling for a lustrous, mark-free AU - as long as it's priced as such.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
A couple of other examples for comparison. Photos courtesy of NEN.
$5 09D - 63
$2.5 25D - 64+
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
I like nice $5 Indians. Especially if nice luster.
And a few common, but nice $2.5 Indians in mid-grade condition.
Luster>Color>Surface preservation is how I grade Indians based on importance for determining grade
Those are wonderful.
I was reading Alan Schein’s book on the incuse Indians. If I recall, he singled out 1927 and 1929 as being particularly good type coins for the $2.50. It was a combination of those issues typically being well struck along with a survival rate that keeps them comparatively affordable.
I just sent in basically a complete set of the $2.50's all CAC in 64+ and some 65+ CAC to GC which should list very soon. A couple look very nice! The 1927 has a reverse retained die cud if you want a type of one of those, too. LOL
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
So what is it that dings a 65 to a 63 on this design? Is it that the fields are the raised part and get scuffed easy?
I would agree with your assessment. Comparing my 63 to 64+ this point is supported. The 63 has many more field marks.
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Yes.
Some of the S mint $5's can have great "classic" luster, though not a typical type coin.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
Here are my favorite $2.50 and $5 Indian coins.
I really like the looks of this 1908 $2.50, but my pictures don't do it justice. The 1908 can be found conservatively graded, but it's not the best type coin. The feather detail on the eagle's should is always missing. That was corrected in 1909. This one is PCGS graded MS-64.
This 1925-D is graded NGC graded MS-65.
And here is my one and only $5 Indian. This one is PCGS graded MS-64.