My Investigation into the 1911 ‘Weak D’ $5 Indian Half Eagle Discovery

I was sorting through my graded coins last week when something caught my eye on my 1911 $5 Indian Half Eagle – what looked like an incredibly faint, weakly struck “D” near the arrow tips. As someone who’s collected for decades, I know how rare undiscovered varieties are in this series. My heart raced, but I kept my cool and got to work examining it.

What I Spotted on the Coin

Under my strongest loupe and playing with different light angles, I could just make out a shadowy shape resembling a “D” mint mark ahead of the arrow tips. It was tricky – the mark only appeared in certain lighting, making me wonder if I’d found something special or just another collector’s mirage. Here’s what stood out:

• The impression was ghostly thin, nothing like the bold mint marks on authenticated Denver coins
• The position felt wrong – Indian Half Eagle mint marks usually sit centered and proud, not hiding in the shadows
• Size and shape didn’t match any known varieties; even the weak D on the 2011-D $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle shows more definition

Why Our Eyes Fool Us

After thirty years in this hobby, I’ve learned our brains love finding patterns where none exist. That trick of the mind called pareidolia? It’s bitten me before. Here’s what I watch for:

• Toning splotches or tiny dings can create phantom letters – rotate the coin and that “D” might become an “8” or just random marks
• Real mint marks don’t play hide-and-seek – if you need a microscope to spot it, it’s probably not there
• Surface roughness often masquerades as something more exciting

My Go-To Approach for Suspicious Coins

If you think you’ve found a new variety, here’s what I do based on hard lessons learned:

• First, study it under every light source you’ve got – sunlight, lamp, LED – and keep rotating it
• Compare against trusted references like Breen or online archives – check position, size, everything
• Before sending to PCGS or NGC, ask yourself: “Would I bet $100 on this?” Grading fees add up fast

The Grading Reality Check

Getting coins professionally graded makes sense for true rarities, but it’s not always straightforward:

• Authentication costs can surprise you – only submit if several experienced eyes see potential
• A confirmed weak D variety could make this coin’s value soar – collectors go wild for these gold rarities
• Remember: hope doesn’t increase value. Evidence does. I’ve seen too many “discoveries” end as expensive maybes

In the end, I shipped my coin off to the graders. I’ll share their verdict when it comes back. This whole experience reminded me why I love numismatics – that electric moment of possibility, balanced by the discipline of careful scrutiny. The truth is in the metal, not in our wishes.