U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Indian Head quarter eagle
Indian quarter eagles: incuse designs and a raised D
The recessed portrait changes where the exposed surface takes marks.
By SalarsNet · Reviewed October 5, 2026
Pratt’s recessed design
The 1908–1929 quarter eagle uses Bela Lyon Pratt’s incuse design. The portrait and eagle are recessed into the surrounding surface, while the mintmark is raised. The similar five-dollar design needs its own denomination and measurements. Do not use an ordinary raised-design wear map without considering the structure.
Type references: PCGS Indian $2.5 ↗
Inspect the field as well as the portrait
Photograph the flat exposed fields, cheek, headdress, eagle, date, and mintmark. Marks on the surrounding surface can matter even where recessed detail remains sharp. Record hairlines, friction, and repairs without turning an attractive recess into a confident mint-state grade.
Type references: PCGS Indian $2.5 ↗
The 1911-D attribution
The 1911-D is the key issue in this family. A weak mintmark still requires positive diagnostics and authentication; its absence from a blurry photograph does not establish a Philadelphia coin or a valuable weak-D form. Compare the authenticated issue and actual surfaces, with proof or exceptional-grade sales kept separate.
Type references: PCGS Indian $2.5 ↗
Selected reviewed issue records
These catalog standards describe the named issue, not a measured specimen. The selected records below do not cover every date, mint, strike, or die variety. Reported production is labeled separately from established mintage. Unknown standards and mintage remain visible; survival estimates and certified populations are separate research questions.
No issue-level specification or mintage records are published for this category yet. Verify the exact date, mint, strike, metal, and subtype in its reference before using a numerical standard.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.
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