The US 1911 Half Eagle $5 coin, designed by Bela Lyon Pratt, features an incuse (sunken relief) design, a bold departure from traditional coinage. Struck in 90% gold, it reflects America’s commitment to the gold standard before World War I. The Aldrich-Vreeland Act of 1908, responding to the Panic of 1907, stabilized banking and influenced economic policies when the US 1911 Half Eagle $5 circulated.
The US 1911 Half Eagle $5 coin emerged during President Taft’s administration, a period of economic growth and trust-busting. Pratt’s Native American design honored Indigenous heritage, aligning with early 20th-century cultural shifts in American identity.