1914 $2.50 Gold Indian Head

Hey Guido,

This is a much nicer-looking coin than the 1845 quarter eagle in your earlier post. Detail looks good and the feathers on the eagle's shoulder appear complete. The Indian's cheek doesn't appear to have any marks or discoloration. Therefore, the coin does appear to be uncirculated. I don't see the line around the nose that you mention. Due to the incuse (sunken) design of these coins, all the devices appear to have an outline; maybe that's what you are seeing?

The right obverse field around the stars has an orange-peel-like texture and I'm not sure that is a good thing. I seem to remember reading that the proof gold pieces can have this feature but the BU coins I've seen have smooth surfaces. This may be nothing to worry about, but I suppose it could be the result of someone trying to smooth out scratches.

Color looks a little too orange to be accurate, but that could just be the photo. You would have to inspect the coin in hand to see whether it has good luster.

There are a few minor scratches under UNITED on the reverse. If those surfaces are original (a big IF) and if the luster is reasonably intact, I could see this coin as MS63. At that grade level it's multi-thousand dollar coin! If I had the money and wanted this date, I would absolutely want to see it in a PCGS, NGC, or ANACS holder before I would consider a purchase.

Please post a follow-up about whether you decide to go for it.

Well, the coin sold for just under $1,200 on ebay. I did not get it. Oh well, it sure was a nice looking coin. Even at a MS62, I think the buyer got a great buy. These coins in MS62 have recently sold on Heritiage for $1,500 to $1,800. MS63 went for $3,700 plus.

Return policy was 7 days, so it sounded good.

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