1908 Indian Half Eagle. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. The splendid medium gold surfaces of this specimen are lustrous and softly frosted. The strike is sharp throughout and the surfaces are very well preserved for this type. The Philadelphia Mints produced 577,845 half eagles for circulation in 1908, the first year of sculptor Bela Lyon Pratts new Indian design, along with 167 Sand Blast Proofs for sale to collectors. As interesting as the coin may have been to certain inner circles at the Mint, the motif was roundly detested at the time. As a result, very few contemporary collectors saved such pieces. It was not until generations later that they became popular, by which time the vast majority of high grade pieces had long since disappeared.
