Montana Indian

Types for the series are listed below.

Montana Indian One
Montana Indian 1/2
Montana Indian 1/4

Montana Indian tokens are dated 1914 and come in three different weights and diameters that correspond with the one, half, and quarter dollar denominations. The tokens were likely issued simultaneously with the other 1914-dated state gold series (Idaho Indian, Oregon Indian, and Washington Indian.

Among the four 1914 state types, the Montana Indian series is the easiest to complete by denomination. But it is also nearly impossible to complete by die variety, courtesy of two extremely rare marriages, MIRD-2 and MIRQ-1.

The obverse features an Indian Head facing left, executed in fine style and similar to die work seen on the aforementioned state gold series, in addition to the Alaska Indian Octagonal, Alaska Indian Round, Arizona Indian Round, California Indian Octagonal, and California Indian Round series. The engraver's identity is unknown, but some have speculated it is Adam Pietz.


The reverse design borrows elements from the Montana territory coat of arms.
The design features a sunrise over a mountain range, with a landscape in the foreground.
ORO Y PLATA, Spanish for gold and silver, is the state motto of Montana.

The Montana Indian series was later included in the M.E. Hart's Coins of the Golden West set formed by Farran Zerbe, and sold during (or shortly after) the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.