1909 INDIAN HEAD $5 PR66

GEM ROMAN FINISHED PROOF SURFACES. ONLY 78 COINS STRUCK. CAC. The 1909 is the second proof delivery in the Indian Half Eagle series, and the first of only two to display the intriguing Roman Gold finish. The Mint adopted this style of proof production after the matte texture imparted to 1908 proof gold coinage failed to gain widespread acceptance among the general public. The failure of the proof 1908 Half Eagle to gain widespread acceptance among the contemporary public resulted in a much lower mintage for the 1909. Of the 78 proof Half Eagles delivered in 1909, only 30-40 examples are believed extant. These coins are charcatreized by bright surfaces whose texture is a blend of satin and semi-brilliant characteristics.