1908 $2.50 MS66 Certification #06663820, PCGS #7939

1908 Gold $2.50 Indian MS66 { PCGS-3 } (Jun'2010) First year issue with typical weak strike on the eagle's feathers, this piece shows incredibly unmarred surfaces, with just two small marks worth mentioning, one on each side. There is an outstanding strike on the Indian, with great detail in the headdress and nearly flawless face. Somewhat rare in PQ gem quality for the series, this specimen shows uniform natural gold color and attractive luster.

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1908 is definitely one of the most common issues of the series, and Mint State specimens up to the MS-63 and MS-64 levels can be obtained without too much difficulty. In MS-65 the issue is scarce but there are still a subatantial enough number around that one can be located with only a little effort. In MS-65 or better condition the 1908 is the most common Indian Head quarter eagle, probably by a fair margin. Being the first year of issue, many were saved as souvenirs or novelties and, as a result, there are a fair number of superb quality, near perfect examples of this date in existence.

The 1908 is typically well struck on the obverse but the reverse has a noticeable lack of detail on the eagle's wing. This is not the result of a weak strike but rather stems from a lack of die detail. (The die work was improved on later issues in the series.) The color is usually a medium greenish gold and the lustre is good but not exceptional. Most specimens have a rather "soft" frosty or sometimes even slightly satiny appearance.