View All 1856 Liberty Head Half Eagle

1856 (C) Liberty Head Half Eagle

Strike Type
1856 (C) Gold Half Eagle coin

Coin Details

Year
1856
Denomination
Gold Half Eagle
Mint Mark
C
Strike Type
Regular Strike
Series
Liberty Head Half Eagles 1839-1908
Designer
Christian Gobrecht
Mintage
28,457
Composition
90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight
8.36g
Diameter
21.65mm
Edge
Reeded

Value Estimates

$3,991 - $63,169

Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.

Auction Record

$46,000 MS63 08-14-2006 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1856 (C) Liberty Head Half Eagle represents a Charlotte Mint issue from the Liberty Head Half Eagles 1839-1908 series. With a mintage of 28,457, this is a scarce issue — ranked 3rd of 5 mint variants by mintage, with 8% 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. Charlotte, Dahlonega, and San Francisco all produced half eagles alongside Philadelphia. Coined at the Charlotte Mint, a gold-only facility that operated in North Carolina for just 23 years before the Civil War ended its production. Estimated market value ranges from $4.0K to $63K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 8.36 grams, 21.65 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #8267.

External References

Error Varieties

No listings found

This category doesn't have any child listings yet.

Other Strike Types in This Series

Collector Essentials

Tools and references for building and protecting your coin collection.

As an Amazon Associate, NumisDex earns from qualifying purchases.