1913-S Indian Eagle. MS-62 (NGC).This is a beautiful and rare Uncirculated example of the low mintage, key date 1913-S Indian eagle. Sharply, if not fully struck in all areas, this impressive coin also offers rich rose-gold patina and nice mint frost. The appearance is uncommonly smooth for the assigned grade and strongly suggestive of a Choice Mint State rating. One of several particularly significant Indian eagles that we are offering in this sale, and sure to see spirited bidding among advanced 20th century gold enthusiasts.<p>With a mintage of 66,000 pieces, the 1913-S eagle has long been recognized as one of the key issues of its type. As with many of the higher denomination gold issues from the early 20th century, most ended up in government melting pots during the late 1930s. Until population figures became more established, the 1913-S was regarded as the undisputed condition rarity in the Indian eagle series at and above the MS-65 grade level. It has been dethroned by the 1911-D, but it remains rarer than that Denver Mint issue in terms of total number of Mint State coins extant. While available to some degree in circulated grades, the 1913-S is elusive at even the lowest Mint State levels. As Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth noted in the 2008 edition of their <em>Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins: 1795-1933</em>, "Any Indian Head eagle collection would be truly defined by the presence of both a 1913-S and a 1911-D issue." The present sale represents a remarkable opportunity for advanced 20th century gold collectors to obtain fully Uncirculated examples of both of these highly regarded issues.<p>NGC Census: 28; 18 finer (MS-67 finest).
