United States: 1925-D gold Indian Head quarter-eagle ($2.50)

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by lordmarcovan, Feb 24, 2026 at 4:41 AM.

  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    United States: 1925-D gold Indian Head quarter-eagle ($2.50)

    PCGS MS63. Cert. #40587486.

    Numista-6158, Krause-Mishler-128.

    Mintage: 578,000.

    Ex-Michael Swoveland, dba WNC Coins, LLC, Asheville, NC, 21 February 2022. purchased in the slab.

    This is a fairy typical midrange Mint State example of the Indian quarter-eagle designed by sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt. Like the $5.00 half-eagles of the same design, this type featured     incuse design elements which are sunken into the planchet rather than raised. As it goes with many innovative things, these coins were initially unpopular with some. In addition to criticism of the design, some members of the public were concerned that they would be unsanitary because the sunken design elements would trap dirt and thus spread germs!

    Eventually, however, Pratt's Indian coins got their due respect, and came to be recognized as part of the Renaissance of American coinage in the early part of the 20th century. They are popular with collectors. They are also popular with counterfeiters, so it is recommended to have them third-party certified.

    The PCGS TrueView images of this coin were shot after certification, through the plastic of the slab.

    01-frame.png 02-TrueView.png 06-obv.png 07-rev.png 08-slab.png

    060000
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
    lordmarcovan, Feb 24, 2026 at 4:41 AM
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  3. jolumoga

    jolumoga Active Member

    I've loved those since I started collecting about 15 years ago and saw them at the local coin shop. They also show recognition of the Native American people. The 1925-D is apparently a common date that is affordable, so I was able to snag an MS-61 recently. I agree that the large numbers of counterfeits, according to experts, justify shelling out some extra money to buy them certified.
     
    jolumoga, Feb 24, 2026 at 10:21 AM
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  4. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Any premium on the coin ?
     
    GoldFinger1969, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:35 AM
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  5. jolumoga

    jolumoga Active Member

    This was in December and I picked up the cheapest one at the time (MS and certified), paying a 24 percent premium above the melt value based on my calculations. These have always carried a premium, from what I remember, but are still affordable. You get a somewhat better deal with the Half Eagles, so I also picked up a couple of those, too.
     
    jolumoga, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:57 AM
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  6. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    This 1925-D is my type coin. It's graded MS-65.

    1925-D 250 All.jpg

    I put this set together in the late 1980s. The coins are still all raw. I bought the 1929 when I was in high school. I paid $57.50 which is too much back then, but at least it is real.

    Indian$250O.JPG Indian$250R.JPG
     
    johnmilton, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:13 PM
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  7. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    Wow, gorgeous set @johnmilton, congrats and thanks for sharing those beauties.
     
    Mr.Q, Feb 24, 2026 at 2:46 PM
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  8. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Great looking set of Indian Heads John, one of the greatest designs ever minted by the US Mint and I happen to have a 1929. thumbsup.gif

    1929a.JPG
    1929b.JPG
     
    fretboard, Feb 25, 2026 at 1:45 PM
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  9. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Here's a close up of the 1929 $2.50. It was graded "BU," and it really is BU about an MS-63 or 64.

    1929 $250 All.jpg
     
    johnmilton, Feb 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM
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