This final issue from the New Orleans Mint is very rare and highly desired among 20th century gold enthusiasts. All grades are very scarce with uncirculated examples being few and far between with maybe around 100 known total. It is the most valuable coin in its series in the lower Mint State range. Only a couple of gems are known to exist and are quite prestigious pieces since whenever they do see the auction block they go for over half a million dollar. This issue is a true rarity. The rarity speaks for itself leaving the strike and overall diagnostics of the coin not overly important. With that said the 1909-O is pretty well struck except for the faint O mintmark and not very impressive luster and overall coloring.
| 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 | O |
| mintage | 34,200 |
| ngc-id | 25ZK |
| 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 | 8515 |
| pcgs-number | 8515 |
| 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 |