This is the last year the Eagle was struck before the United Statesentered into World War I that cost more than 100,000 American lives and more than 8 million lives worldwide. This conflict went on until 1918 and Indian Eagle coinage did not again resume until 1920.

The 1916-S was actually once rarer than it is today. A couple of small hoards were found in the 1970’s that brought to light approximately 125 pieces. It is now the tenth most difficult coin to obtain in Gem Uncirculated and finer condition and the thirteenth most difficult in the series overall. The issue didn’t see massive circulation, likely because of the public – and the government’s – preoccupation with the conflict going on in Europe and increased confidence in paper money after the establishment of the Federal Reserve. The following year actually saw no gold coins struck at all with the U.S. declaration of war on Germany.

1916-S Head Eagle: Sharp Strike, Scarce in Gem

Because the 1916-S didn’t see circulation the great majority are found in AU and the lower mint state grades. This issue is very hard to find in Gem Uncirculated as the surfaces tend to be very heavily abraded.

Surviving coins usually exhibit a sharp strike but there is often a degree of clarity missing from the eagle’s upper wing tip on the reverse. This is common on many coins in the series and should not be severely discounted.