This beautiful design is unique in the history of American coinage. Rather than being raised, as it is on all other U.S. coins, the image is sunken into the surface of the coin. The lettering, stars and date, along with the design, are cut incuse into the surface of the coin. Designer Bela Lyon Pratt was original in another way as well: While other coins had featured Liberty wearing an Indian headdress, he replaced the traditional Liberty Head with a lifelike portrait of a Native American. The bold eagle on the reverse also is considered among the most lifelike in American coinage. First struck in 1795, the $5.00 Gold Piece was the first Gold coin actually produced for the United States. No mark of value was used on any gold pieces made before 1807; users had to guess the weight or value of the large gold coins. The denomination was added in 1807, and coins of this period were given a reeded edge to prevent illegal clipping or shaving of gold. This beautiful coin was minted from 1908 to 1929 in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco. Many dates in this series are scarce, and in some years no $5.00 Gold coins were made. Some rare dates have sold for more than $10,000. This replica coin is minted of brass then layered with pure 24k gold.