The massive global flu outbreak in 1918 did not aid the coin and many collectors believe that fear of the flu in the coins design led to a high melt down of incuse coins when gold was recalled in 1933. Soon after the release, some critics hailed the design as anti-naturalistic and even unhygienic because of it's incuse surface. Like all great designs, the coins also faced great criticism.
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The smaller denominated coins were used far more often than their larger denominated counterparts and this design was intended to make their circulating lifespan much longer. With the main features of the obverse and reverse being below the coin's surface, the features would not wear as quickly as your typical coin and it's raised surface. So what is an incuse coin? The simple definition is the coin's design has been impressed BELOW the coin's surface. Gaudens designed the $10 Indian and $20 Double Eagle coins but after his passing Pratt would bring us his $2 1/2 and $5 Indian with their unique incuse design. Ultimately, Roosevelt would bring on two sculptors to navigate his coin renaissance, Augustus St. When Theodore Roosevelt became President, he was determined to change the face of what he called our "atrociously hideous" coinage. One of those changes were coins made with incuse designs, read on for some insight into some of the most sought after antique coins in our Nation's history!
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Soon after the turn of 1900 our coinage would begin a radical change. Since antique coins were literally made to be used, their intention was to last as usable money as long as possible. Modern coin collector's soon learn that does not apply in antique silver and gold. Since almost every release is handled with more and more care and with modern technology that encapsulates our coinage, there has never been a better time to find near perfect or even perfect examples of many coins. Today's modern silver and gold coins are in some of the best conditions ever in the history of numismatics.