Today the 1916-S is relatively common but decades ago prior to a minor hoard it was far more scarce. That hoard contained plenty of low end Mint State examples therefore this date is no different from most others in how the coins are attainable in most grades except for the gems that are especially rare. This San Francisco minted issue comes with a strong strike and nice overall color but are lacking in luster. The non-hoard coins are actually more lustrous and the color for this date ranges greatly from greenish gold to orangey gold and everything in between.
| 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 | 240,000 |
| ngc-id | 28DY |
| 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 | 8532 |
| pcgs-number | 8532 |
| 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 |