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The Certified $2.5 Gold Indian 1914-D MS62 PCGS is a well-preserved Mint State example from one of the most distinctive and artistically significant coin series in American numismatics. Graded MS62 by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), this coin is part of the Indian Head Quarter Eagle series designed by Bela Lyon Pratt and minted from 1908 through 1929. The 1914-D issue, struck at the Denver Mint, is one of the more elusive coins in the series in Mint State, making this certified example particularly desirable for collectors seeking to build a complete or high-grade Indian Quarter Eagle set.
The obverse features a bold incuse portrait of a Native American chief in left-facing profile, wearing a detailed feathered war bonnet. The innovative sunken design stands apart from the raised relief used on all other regular-issue U.S. coinage. The word “LIBERTY” appears above the portrait, and thirteen six-pointed stars encircle the image, representing the original American colonies. The date “1914” is sharply placed below the neckline. In MS62 condition, this coin exhibits sharp detail in the feathers and facial contours, with moderate contact marks typical for the grade, often found in the open fields or near the cheek and bonnet.
The reverse showcases a proud, standing eagle resting on a bundle of arrows, which is partially wrapped in an olive branch. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” encircle the design, while the denomination “2 1/2 DOLLARS” is positioned below. The “D” mintmark appears to the left of the arrow bundle, identifying the Denver Mint as the place of origin. In MS62, the reverse retains strong definition in the eagle’s plumage and the branch, though faint abrasions may be present, particularly in the flatter fields that tend to highlight surface imperfections on incuse designs.
Like all Quarter Eagle Indian Head coins, the 1914-D is struck in 90% gold and 10% copper, weighs 4.18 grams, and has a diameter of 18 millimeters. With a gold content of 0.12094 troy ounces, the coin holds significant intrinsic value in addition to its numismatic worth. The Indian Head Quarter Eagle series is well-known for its unusual incuse design, a feature that makes these coins more prone to bag marks during mint handling but also provides them with a unique, low-relief aesthetic appreciated by modern collectors. The recessed design elements protect the coin's details from wear but tend to amplify contact marks in the flat surrounding areas.
The total mintage for the 1914-D $2.5 Indian was 448,000 coins, making it one of the lower-mintage issues of the series. Although not the rarest date, the 1914-D is scarce in Mint State, especially in grades above MS62. Many were released into circulation, and because of the coin's delicate design, even minor surface issues become more noticeable. PCGS population reports indicate that MS62 coins are considerably more available than higher grades such as MS63 or MS64, yet they are still limited in number and represent a narrow tier of survivors that were never used in commerce.
PCGS’s MS62 grade designates a coin that is fully uncirculated with full detail and luster, but which displays moderate contact marks or abrasions from mint handling. These imperfections are generally scattered and do not significantly impair the overall eye appeal. On an incuse coin like this, marks in the recessed fields can be slightly more apparent due to the flatness of the surfaces. Nevertheless, MS62 remains a strong collector grade, offering a balance between sharpness of strike and affordability when compared to higher Mint State levels, which command significant premiums for this date and mintmark.
Visually, a 1914-D Quarter Eagle in MS62 often presents pleasing golden-yellow coloration, with subtle orange or bronze undertones typical of the gold-copper alloy used by the U.S. Mint during this era. The coin's matte-like finish enhances the depth of the design, and the protected recesses around the Native American portrait and the eagle typically retain excellent sharpness. While the incuse format may lack the flashy luster of traditional raised-relief coins, it offers a distinctive visual texture that sets the Indian Head series apart and appeals strongly to connoisseurs of U.S. gold coin artistry.
Historically, 1914 was a pivotal year, marking the beginning of World War I in Europe, although the United States remained neutral until 1917. During this period, the U.S. continued to mint gold coins for domestic circulation, unaware that within two decades, circulating gold coinage would end due to the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. The 1914-D Quarter Eagle is thus part of a vanishing era of hard-money coinage, issued before the rise of paper-backed federal currency and the ban on private gold ownership. Many of these coins were eventually melted during the gold recalls of the 1930s, further reducing the number of Mint State survivors available to modern collectors.
Today, the Certified $2.5 Gold Indian 1914-D MS62 PCGS occupies an important place in the numismatic market, particularly for those collecting the full Indian Quarter Eagle series or assembling high-quality type sets. Its status as a better-date Denver Mint issue, combined with the scarcity of well-preserved examples, enhances its desirability. Backed by PCGS certification, the coin offers assurance of authenticity, precise grading, and long-term market recognition. Whether acquired for its artistic uniqueness, investment potential, or historic relevance, this coin exemplifies the enduring appeal of classic American gold.