USA Indian $2 1/2 - 1927

AKA the Quarter Eagle (1908 - 1929). This year saw a mintage of only 388K. Ah..for the days when you could make a purchase with a two and a half dollar gold piece; well into the 20th Century. A couple of years later comes economic collapse and severe depression, then the confiscation of gold.
Now, finally after years of speculation the research and evidence reveals the identity of this noble Indian Chief. See the November issue of the ANA's "Numismatist" magazine for the full details. The Chief is Brule' Sioux tribe Hollow Horn Bear. The Chief also appeared on a 14 cent US stamp (1922 - 1938) and on a Vietnam war era Military Payment Certificate (MPC). Hollow Horn Bear was the first Native American to appear on a circulating US coin and also the first specific individual to be depicted on a circulating US coin. That's a lot of significant firsts for this Chief to be finally positively identified. It shows there is still a lot of room for research even for such a well known coinage issue.