$5 Liberty Half Eagle Gold

The Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle Gold Coin is one of the longest-running gold coin designs in U.S. history, minted from 1839 to 1908. The coin features the classic Liberty Head design by Christian Gobrecht, and it was issued by multiple U.S. mints, making it popular among collectors and investors alike.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): The Liberty Head portrait, facing left, with her hair tied in a bun, wearing a coronet inscribed with "LIBERTY." Stars surround the image, and the date appears below.
• Reverse (back): Features the heraldic eagle, with the shield on its chest and an olive branch and arrows in its talons. The denomination "5 D." appears below the eagle.
• Weight: 8.359 grams
• Gold Content: 0.2419 troy ounces of pure gold
• Fineness: 90% gold (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

The Liberty Head Half Eagle was struck at several U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark is located on the reverse, just below the eagle:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): The Philadelphia Mint produced the highest number of these coins.
• New Orleans ("O"): Early mintages from the New Orleans Mint are prized, especially pre-Civil War issues.
• San Francisco ("S"): Later mintages, many circulated heavily due to the California Gold Rush.
• Charlotte ("C"): Very scarce and desirable due to the limited production from this Southern mint. Charlotte-minted coins are some of the rarest.
• Dahlonega ("D"): Another Southern mint with low mintage, making Dahlonega-minted coins highly sought after by collectors.
• Denver ("D"): After the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints closed, Denver produced these coins from 1906 to 1908.

Collectible Varieties

• "No Motto" (1839-1866): These coins were minted without the "In God We Trust" motto on the reverse.
• "With Motto" (1866-1908): Starting in 1866, the motto "In God We Trust" was added above the eagle on the reverse.
• Mint Varieties: Coins from Charlotte (C) and Dahlonega (D) mints are especially valuable due to their low mintages and association with Southern U.S. history.

Common Dates vs. Rare Dates

Philadelphia issues from 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1907 had large mintages, often making these coins more common in the market today. These dates are frequently sold as bullion coins due to their availability and relatively low premiums above gold content.

Rare Dates and Varieties

Coins from Charlotte (C) and Dahlonega (D) mints are much rarer, especially in higher grades. For instance, the 1841-D and 1854-C are two exceptionally rare dates.

Some key dates include the 1864-S, which has a low mintage, and the 1861-D, struck during the Civil War, making it highly desirable.

Various Grades and Values

The value of Liberty Head $5 Half Eagles depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value based on grades for common-date coins (Philadelphia and large mintage years).

• Good (G): $450-600
• Fine (F): $500-700
• Extremely Fine (XF): $650-800
• About Uncirculated (AU): $800-1,100
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU/MS): $1,100-1,500

Rare mint marks and key dates can command prices well into the thousands or even tens of thousands for coins in higher grades.

The Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle is an important piece of American coinage history. Coins from the Charlotte and Dahlonega mints, as well as key dates, are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant premiums. Common-date coins are more affordable and may be sold as bullion, making them a popular choice for gold investors. The coin's value increases significantly with higher grades and more desirable mint marks.

Liberty Head $5 Half Eagle Gold Auctions