Although it is not as well-known as the 1909-O, the 1909-S Indian Head Half Eagle is actually a much scarcer coin in terms of its overall rarity. The 1909-S is extremely hard to find in Uncirculated, especially in grades higher than MS62. It is rare in MS63, very rare in MS64 and extremely rare in MS65 or better.

Striking Quality and Surface Conditions of the 1909-S Indian Head Half Eagle

This is among the best struck Indian Head Half Eagles from this mint and both the obverse and reverse are typically seen with full definition. The mintmark is sharply struck and clear, unlike a number of the San Francisco issues. There are two varieties known: a perfect mintmark and a double punched mintmark. The latter is scarcer.

The surfaces are often quite abraded and show scuffmarks from careless handling. A number have light scratches or hairlines from having been cleaned at one time.