The Half Eagle Gold Coin

The Half Eagle gold coin contains about a fourth of an ounce of gold, and has a fineness of about 0.900. There were an abundant number of varieties early, with varying amounts of gold and fineness. Eventually, the Coronet Head, and later the Indian Head, became the common coins. Like other gold coins, many were turned in when the United States made it illegal to own gold. How many of any year were melted is not something we will ever know. The coin minted from 1908 through 1929, with a gap from 1916 through 1928, was the Indian Head with the incused design, which did not wear well.