While the similarly dated quarter eagle is a much better known issue, the 1911-D Indian Head Half Eagle is a far rarer coin in high grades. It is the fourth rarest Indian Head Half Eagle in Gem Uncirculated, trailing only the 1912-S, 1913-S and 1914-S, and it must be considered among the prime rarities among all 20th century United States gold coinage in MS65 and higher grades.

As with nearly all gold coins produced at the Denver Mint, this is a well struck issue that shows good detail on both the obverse and the reverse. The mintmark is in very low relief but it is clear to the naked eye.

1911-D Half Eagle: Grainy Surfaces, Heavy Wear, and Dull Luster

The surfaces are always seen with a grainy appearance and this tends to give the 1911-D Half Eagle a very distinctive appearance. In addition to this granularity, the surfaces normally are very heavily abraded. This issue appears to have seen greater circulation than other Denver Mint Half Eagles of the early 1910’s and many examples are visibly worn from commercial use.

The luster is among the worst found on any Indian Head Half Eagle. As a result of the way the dies were prepared; it is typically very grainy in appearance and lacks the vibrancy seen on the earlier Denver Half Eagles.