The 1908-S seems to be a popular low mintage issue amongst gold pieces but this Half Eagle in particular is more common than one would think. The mintage is certainly on the lower end at 82,000 but many of those were saved unlike other higher mintage issues that are actually rarer. It is a relatively attainable coin up through gem condition with a very gradual rise in value until the absolute finest MS68 gems that sell for very solid six-figures. This coin may not be underrated but is certainly not common. In addition the surfaces can be found with an array of golden hues, levels of luster and mostly all of them have a strong strike.
| coinage-type | Indian head gold half eagle |
| desg | MS |
| designer | Bella Lyon Pratt |
| diameter | 21.6 |
| edge | Reeded |
| fineness | 0.9 |
| material | 90% gold; 10% copper |
| mint-mark | S |
| mintage | 82,000 |
| ngc-id | 28DG |
| 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 | 8512 |
| pcgs-number | 8512 |
| 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 5 DOLLARS struck below the eagle. |
| weight-grams | 8.359 |
| weight-ounces | 0.24187 |
| year-display | 1908-1929 |