Idaho Indian One
Idaho Indian 1/2
Idaho Indian 1/4
Idaho 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 (Montana Indian, Oregon Indian, and Washington Indian.
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 background features the sun rising over four mountain peaks. The foreground shows a landscape with train tracks headed toward the mountain. The motto ESTO PERPETUA (Latin for "Let it be perpetual") is the state motto of Idaho.
The design includes motifs from the
Idaho State Seal (the stream toward mountains)
and the Idaho historical coat of arms (the sunrise above the mountains).
The Idaho 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.