1912 $5 Indian Gold Half Eagle PCGS MS65

1912 $5 Indian Head Half Eagle PCGS MS65 – Bold Luster, Condition Rarity, and Early 20th-Century History

• Date: 1912
• Denomination: $5 Half Eagle
• Type: Indian Head
• Grade: MS65
• Grading Service: PCGS
• PCGS Population: 74 in MS65, only 4 finer
• Metal Content: 0.2419 troy oz
• Fineness: .900 gold
• Diameter: 21.6 mm

This 1912 $5 Indian Head Half Eagle, graded MS65 by PCGS, stands as a vibrant example of early 20th-century American coinage artistry. A brilliant honey-gold Gem with bold luster and sharp detail, this piece boasts exceptional eye appeal and surfaces worthy of its top-grade designation.

Struck the same year Arizona and New Mexico achieved statehood, this coin is more than a collectible—it’s a tangible link to a pivotal moment in U.S. history. With just 74 coins graded MS65 by PCGS and only 4 finer, it ranks among the elite survivors of the series. When it was minted, numismatic focus leaned heavily toward sandblast proofs, meaning circulation strikes like this were often overlooked and underappreciated.

It wasn’t until numismatic scholars like Walter Breen elevated the importance of Mint State coins in the 1950s that Gems like this gained the recognition they deserved. Today, they are treasured for their rarity, condition, and classic incuse design by Bela Lyon Pratt—making this example a smart addition to any advanced collection.