The 1911 is among the more common Indian Head Half Eagles. It is seen more often than the 1909 and the 1910 and it is comparable to the 1908 except in higher grades, in which it is decidedly rarer.

This is among the worst struck dates of this design. The feathers often show weakness and the bonnet may have some blurry areas where the details are not fully brought up. The reverse is better struck but many pieces show weakness on the eagle’s left (facing) wing. It is possible to find pieces that show a better strike than average and the collector who finds it important to own a sharp coin is urged to be patient and wait for the right piece.

1911 Half Eagles: Surface Quality, Luster, and Coloration Variations

The surfaces are usually abraded but it is possible to find a 1911 Indian Head Half Eagle that has only minor marks. The 1911 Indian Head Half Eagle has granular surfaces which are different in appearance from most other Philadelphia gold coins of this design.

The luster is below average. It is subdued in appearance with a slightly grainy appearance and it lacks the “pizzazz” seen on other Philadelphia Half Eagles.

A wide range of coloration has been observed on this date. Most 1911 Half Eagles are light to medium greenish-gold but others have light orange-gold hues which can be very attractive.