1909-O Indian Half Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS).A warmly patinated and pleasingly original example of this key date 20th century gold issue. Both sides exhibit dominant honey-olive patina, the peripheries further enhanced by glints of flint gray. The devices are sharply defined throughout, and the all important O mintmark is fully outlined and bold. Close inspection with a loupe even reveals pronounced doubling to the mintmark, this being the most frequently encountered variety of the issue. Lustrous for the grade with ample evidence of a softly frosted finish from the dies. The eagerly sought 1909-O half eagle is not only the sole New Orleans Mint Indian half eagle, but it is also the only issue in the four popular Indian and Saint-Gaudens gold series of the early 20th century attributed to this Southern coinage facility. With a mere 34,200 pieces produced, the 1909-O is also the lowest mintage circulation strike of its type and survivors see strong demand at every grade level.
