The first year of issue from a mintage of just 167 the 1908 matte proof Indian Half Eagle is an exceptionally rare coin with unique, pristine surfaces. Like other gold proofs of this time the surfaces were dull but the detail was as crisp as could be. Another fact coming from its late proof gold manufacturing is that these coins are only usually collected in grades 60 through 70 in todays market. PR64 through PR66 are the most popular collector grades with anything finer being a highly desired major rarity
| coinage-type | Indian head gold half eagle |
| desg | PR |
| designer | Bella Lyon Pratt |
| diameter | 21.6 |
| edge | Reeded |
| fineness | 0.9 |
| material | 90% gold; 10% copper |
| mintage | 167 |
| ngc-id | 2.80E+04 |
| obverse-description | The obverse bears the portrait of a Native American chieftain in formal headdress struck incuse with the words LIBERTY at the top and the date at the bottom. 13 stars frame the left and right sides: 6 at left and 7 on the right. |
| pcgs-link | 8539 |
| pcgs-number | 8539 |
| reverse-description | The traditional American eagle struck incuse in the center with the words, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at top, E PLURIBUS UNUM left of the eagle, and IN GOD WE TRUST to the right of the eagle. The denomination 2 1/2 DOLLARS struck below the eagle. |
| weight-grams | 8.359 |
| weight-ounces | 0.24187 |
| year-display | 1908-1929 |