Design and Specifications
The $5 Liberty Half Eagle is a classic piece of American coinage, minted from 1839 to 1908. It features the Liberty Head design by Christian Gobrecht.
- Diameter: 21.6 mm
- Weight: 8.359 grams
- Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
- Edge: Reeded
Mint Marks and Varieties
The $5 Liberty Half Eagle was produced at several mints, each identified by a distinct mint mark. The mint mark can be found on the reverse side, below the eagle.
- No Mint Mark: Philadelphia
- C: Charlotte (1838-1861)
- D: Dahlonega (1838-1861)
- O: New Orleans (1840-1909)
- S: San Francisco (1854-1908)
Various Grades and Values
| Condition |
Value Range |
| Good (G) |
$400 - $450 |
| Fine (F) |
$450 - $500 |
| Very Fine (VF) |
$500 - $600 |
| Extremely Fine (XF) |
$600 - $750 |
| About Uncirculated (AU) |
$750 - $900 |
| Brilliant Uncirculated (Mint State) |
$900 - $1,500 |
Coins in Good condition may have heavily worn details, while those in Very Fine condition will show moderate signs of wear with clear details. Extremely Fine coins are lightly worn, and About Uncirculated coins show minimal wear. Brilliant Uncirculated coins have no signs of wear.
Collectible Varieties
- 1854-S $5 Liberty Half Eagle: $10,000 - $20,000
- 1861-C $5 Liberty Half Eagle: $8,000 - $15,000
The 1854-S is particularly notable because it was the first year of production for the San Francisco Mint, making it highly sought after. The 1861-C is significant due to its association with the Civil War, as it was one of the last coins minted in Charlotte.
Error Coins
- Double Die Obverse: $2,000 - $5,000
- Misstruck Planchet: $1,500 - $3,000
Double die obverse coins exhibit a noticeable doubling in the inscriptions or date on the front side. Misstruck planchets may show off-center designs or other striking errors, making them appealing to error coin collectors.
Melt Value
To calculate the melt value of the $5 Liberty Half Eagle, one must consider its gold content and current gold prices. The coin contains approximately 0.2419 troy ounces of pure gold. Multiplying this by the current market price of gold per troy ounce will yield the melt value. For example, if gold is priced at $1,800 per troy ounce, the melt value would be approximately $435.42. It is important to note that numismatic value often exceeds melt value, especially for coins in better condition or with historical significance.
$5 Liberty Half Eagle VF+ Auctions
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Price |
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Additional $5 Liberty Half Eagle Very Fine Specifications
