1911 $2.50 AU58 Certification #49627417, PCGS #7942

David Akers (1975/88)

Overall, the 1911 is similar in terms of rarity to the other early Philadelphia Mint issues (except for the 1908 which is much less rare and the 1914 which is much more rare), meaning that it is scarce but far from rare. Anything up to MS-63 can be obtained without real difficulty, but MS-64 specimens are certainly hard to find. Gems are surprisingly rare, about on a par with those of 1910 and many times as rare as the 1908 or any of the late date issues except for the unappreciated 1929. A few superb quality specimens exist but they are extremely rare.

The 1911 is usually quite different in appearance from the previous issues, more granular, less lustrous and a slightly different color, typically tending more to the greenish orange color of gold. (There are a few specimens, however, that are light to medium yellow gold.) Strike varies greatly on this issue, but most are only average at best and some show a slight weakness in the bonnet at the tips of the feathers. The reverse is usually sharp, and the occasional specimen is well struck on both the obverse and reverse.