The 1916-S is the final Indian Head Half Eagle produced at the San Francisco Mint. It is the only date of this denomination to be produced in 1916, so it is an essential issue for collectors who are putting together year sets. After this issue was produced, there would be no more Indian Head Half Eagles struck until 1929.

The 1916-S Indian Head Half Eagle was formerly very rare in higher grades but a hoard of several hundred coins was uncovered in El Salvador in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. Today, it is obtainable in grades up to and including MS64.

Exceptional Quality of 1916-S Indian Head Half Eagles

This is the best struck of the late date Indian Head Half Eagles from San Francisco. This issue tends to not display the die deterioration at the borders that is seen on the issues produced from 1912 through 1915. The obverse is very well struck. The reverse is a little less sharp and on some pieces the mintmark is blobby and indistinct.

Many 1916-S Half Eagles have heavily abraded surfaces. Pieces that are from the hoard mentioned above tend to show some bagmarks or other scattered abrasions in the fields. Unlike some of the earlier San Francisco Half Eagles of this design, it is possible for the collector to locate a reasonably clean piece for his set if he is patient.