In numismatics, there is a strong tradition of set-building. Collectors often have the goal of...
$2.50 Indian
In numismatics, there is a strong tradition of set-building. Collectors often have the goal of assembling interesting, themed and relevant groups of coins such as buying one of every date, design type and mintmark. The basic concept is to establish a collecting objective and work towards completing it. Owning a complete set increases the value of coins compared to owning individual coins. For many collectors, the old Whitman coin albums might come to mind. These pre-made albums contained holes for every date in a given series. Collectors would work tirelessly—and often over the span of years—to fill the holes in each series.
Some series are better for set-building than others. Some coinage series are filled with key dates that are difficult to find and prohibitively expensive. For instance, it is currently impossible for a collector to build a complete set of Three Dollar gold pieces because the unique 1870-S is impounded in a museum. $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles are another example. There are at least 10 different dates that cost well into five, six, or even seven figures. A complete set can be assembled, but it would require a massive budget.
The $2.50 Indian is the only United States gold series that can be affordably completed. This is why the $2.50 Indian is one of the most popular coins in all of numismatics. Every other United States gold coinage type has at least one major rarity beyond the average collector’s budget. As a case in point, the $5 Indian series has two “stopper” dates that cost at least $10,000 in any grade: the 1909-O and 1929. Consequently, only advanced numismatists attempt to build complete sets of $5 Indians; otherwise collectors usually buy them as type coins.
It’s not just price that makes the $2.50 Indian such a beloved coin. It also boasts a gorgeous design and impressive history. Many of you know, all four major United States gold denominations were revamped in 1907-1908. President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to overhaul the $2.50, $5, $10 and $20 coins. Tragically, Saint-Gaudens passed away before he could complete the project. He only completed the $10 and $20 motifs. Therefore, his student, Bela Lyon Pratt, finished the task and redesigned the $2.50 and $5 pieces.
Pratt chose a unique and innovative design approach. Unlike any other United States coin, the $2.50 and $5 Indian gold pieces have an incused format. That is, the details are sunken, rather than raised. The result is a unique and highly attractive visual effect. The public was initially worried that dirt and germs could become trapped in the incused recesses, but these concerns were largely unfounded.
Price Analysis
The $2.50 Indian series runs from 1908 through 1929 with a total of 15 date/mintmark combinations. Of those 15 issues, all but two are extremely affordable in Uncirculated condition. The 1911-D and 1914 are somewhat pricey in Mint State, but otherwise, the remaining 13 issues trade at a very reasonable price point. While we’ve always felt these dates were a solid value, we can especially endorse them now. In today’s market, those 13 dates are all available for just $400-$600 each.
To put this price in perspective, any ungraded, uncertified $2.50 Indian Quarter Eagle is bound to cost at least $300 per coin. You’d still have to pay $300-$325 for a moderately worn coin in Extremely Fine condition. MS61 pieces trade for $350-$450 per coin depending on date. For not much more than a “raw” circulated coin or an MS61, you can own MS62s for $400-$600 per coin. To own an Uncirculated vintage United States gold coin at this price point is truly remarkable.
$2.50 Indian Early and Late Date Sets: When we noticed what a great find $2.50 Indians had become, we grabbed every fairly-priced, solid-quality coin we could find. After a good bit of hunting, we assembled a small group of $2.50 Indian date runs. Today, we can offer you the following Indian sets:
Eight Piece $2.50 Indian Early Date Sets: This set contains eight coins dated 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914-D and 1915. Every coin is graded MS62 by either NGC or PCGS. This set includes the first year of issue and every date until the series went on hiatus in 1915. No $2.50 Indians were produced from 1916 through 1924, as the nation was still recovering from World War I. During this time period, very few U.S. gold coins were struck. These earlier issues are all better dates and trade for a significant premium in MS63. We have available six (6) of these 8-piece sets - call for pricing and details!*
Five Piece $2.50 Indian Late Date Sets: By 1925, conditions in the United States had begun to normalize and the “Roaring ‘20s” were in full swing. With economic conditions strengthening, the United States Mint resumed production of gold coinage. The $2.50 Indian Quarter Eagle was struck until 1929, when the stock market crash and ensuing depression led to its demise. Both the $2.50 and $5 Indian gold pieces were discontinued in 1929, and then Franklin D. Roosevelt banned private gold ownership in 1933.
This set contains a total of five issues in NGC/PCGS MS62: 1925-D, 1926, 1927, 1928 and 1929 and represents every issue struck in the post-WWI period. They are the most available dates in the series, and also trade at extremely reasonable levels. We have available 15 of these five-piece sets - call for pricing and details!*
Our recommendation is to combine these two sets, which gives you a complete date run of $2.50 Indian Quarter Eagles - call for pricing and details!* Act soon, because the full set has limited availability on a first come, first served basis. You can own one MS62 specimen from every year in which the coin was minted. A complete 13-coin date run of $2.50 Indians graded MS62 at less than $7,000 is simply a fantastic value. No other set in United States gold gives you as much “bang for the buck.”
Again, keep in mind how expensive other U.S. gold year sets are. A complete year set of $5 Indians is bound to cost over $50,000 in MS62. A year set of $10 Indians is well into six figures, as is a year set of $20 Saint-Gaudens. Nowhere else in the realm of American gold coins can you assemble a year set at such a great value. This is truly a one-of-kind opportunity in the United States gold arena. The ability to buy complete year sets at today’s pricing is an opportunity that cannot be ignored.
Call us at 800-831-0007, or send us an email to secure your $2.50 Indian Early, Late or Complete Date sets today!
*Prices are subject to change due to market fluctuation and product availability.
