1845 Proof Liberty Head Half Eagle

Coin Details

Auction Record

$292,500 PR66 09-23-2013 Bonham's

Description

The 1845 Proof Liberty Head Half Eagle is a proof Gold Half Eagle struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Liberty Head Half Eagles 1839-1908 series. With a mintage of 4, this is an extremely rare issue — ranked 0th of 3 mint variants by mintage, with 0% of production. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Minted during the age of Jacksonian democracy and the rise of the common man, as new branch mints opened in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $292,500 PR66 09-23-2013 Bonham's. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams, 21.65 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #98435.